St. Francis set to present ‘The Beatles Tribute Band’ at Space Coast Complex

St. Francis Reflections Foundation will be kicking off 2022 with a fundraising concert that will have appeal across generations of families.

The Foundation raises funds for St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care, a nonprofit that serves Brevard County with a range of programs and services, including hospice and pediatric palliative care.

“Rockin’ the Sunset — Concert for a Cause” is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4, at the United States Specialty Sports Association’s Space Coast Complex in Viera. This event will feature “The Beatles Tribute Band Liverpool Live.” It is touted as the “No. 1 working Beatles tribute band in Florida.”

They perform note–for–note versions of the Beatles’ best music — from “The White Album” to “Abbey Road” — with period–authentic equipment, costumes, and amps, just like the ones used by the “Fab Four.”

The Beatles have compiled a long list of hits and attendees will hear many of them. Their hits include: “She Loves You,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Twist and Shout,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Love Me Do,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” “And I Love Her,” “I Feel Fine,” “Ticket To Ride,” “Back in the U.S.S.R,” “Something,” “Come Together,” and “Help!” The Beatles made their debut in America on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in New York City. The date was Feb. 9, 1964.

Liverpool Live has played for all types of audiences, from corporate shows to sold–out theaters. Now they are coming to the Space Coast Complex, which seats roughly 8,000 people.

“We want to fill every one of the seats for this concert,” said Sharon Ivory, director of communications at Titusville–based St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care.

“This will be St. Francis Reflections Foundation’s largest event for 2022,” said Gloria Lorey, the organization’s giving and event coordinator. Lorey is the newest staff member of St. Francis Reflections and has more than 12 years’ experience working with nonprofits. “We are excited about having Gloria on the team,” said Ivory. “She has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the nonprofit sector.”

Most recently, Lorey was with Space Coast City Fest, a regionwide campaign focused on serving the area and proclaiming the message of hope. “The organization serves all of Brevard County with a very large festival,” said Lorey, adding, “I am thrilled to be working Rockin’ the Sunset — Concert for a Cause. This is going to be a fun community event showcasing the Beatles’ great music.”

Formed around the nucleus of John Lennon and Paul McCarthy, who first performed in Liverpool in 1957, the group grew out of a shared interest in American rock and roll.

Now Liverpool Live, led by founder Mark Allen, is carrying on the tradition of that great rock–and–roll band.

Liverpool Live performed in front of more than 7,000 people at the Boca Raton Amphitheater. They are known to engage the audience and present stories about the Beatles and their songs.

Liverpool Live includes past cast members of Disney’s Epcot in Orlando and Beatlemania.

“The plan is to have a series of different concerts over a number of years to raise money for St. Francis Reflections Foundation,” said Donna Ellis, a board member of that organization who is a Realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty in Melbourne. “And Liverpool Live is a great way to kick things off. It’s the perfect time for this event. It’s going to be exciting.”

She added, “The Beatles Tribute Band will be performing three separate sets of music and will be wearing different costumes for each set. There will be a couple of surprises throughout the concert. Everyone likes a good concert, and everyone likes the Beatles music. This is a family event.”

Early bird concert tickets are $20 through Dec. 31. After that date, they are $25. To purchase tickets, visit ReflectionsLSC.org/Beatles or text “Beatles” to 41444. The website also has pricing for children’s tickets to the event. At the website, concert T–shirts are for sale.

There are various sponsorship opportunities. They run from $250 to $10,000, said Ellis. “Sponsors will be getting a good dose of publicity, based on their level of support. I have been involved with a lot of events for nonprofits through the years and this concert presents one of the best opportunities for individuals, businesses, and organizations to get their name in front the audience. During the concert, for example, sponsors at
the $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000 levels will have their name come across consistently on the jumbotron. Their names will also be posted on the event webpage and hotlink,” she said.

The $5,000 and $10,000 sponsors will enjoy seating in climate–controlled private suites at the Space Coast Complex.

The Diamond–level $10,000 sponsorship includes 20 tickets to the concert and three VIP parking passes, as well as food and drinks.

These sponsors will also have the opportunity for on–site promotion of their products or services. The sponsor may provide the 10–foot by 10–foot–booth and do the set up. The Platinum–level $5,000 sponsor will also receive 10 tickets and two VIP parking passes and have the opportunity for on–site promotion.

“This is a great way for a company to reward some of their employees or host some of their customers,” said Lowry. “There are amenities at each level of sponsorship support.”

The early sponsors include: Miller & Hurt Financial Group, Pelican Floors Kitchen & Bath, The Cart Guys, Atlantic Business Systems, The Home Team/KW Space Coast, and Donna Ellis of Sotheby’s International Realty.
To learn more about being a sponsor for the concert, call St. Francis Reflections Foundation at (321) 360–3456, visit ReflectionsLSC.org/Beatles, or send an email to Foundation@ReflectionsLSC.org.

Rockin’ the Sunset — Concert for a Cause will benefit three St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care programs —NorthStar, Pediatric Palliative Care, and We Honor Veterans. St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care provides
care for individuals of all ages with life–limiting illnesses.

• The NorthStar program was created in response to the need for bereavement services for children and families in Brevard County. It is a support program for children and families whose lives have been changed by the death of a loved one.

NorthStar is exclusively dedicated to grieving children and is open to any child in Brevard County. “The program provides emotional support to those working through the natural grieving process,” said Ivory. “We have some very talented and very skilled staff involved in that program.”

She said the mission is to teach healthy coping skills to children, teens, young adults, and families. “This is accomplished by providing an environment where they can safely express their feelings of grief and loss, thus facilitating the process of healing.”

• The Pediatric Palliative Care program provides quality supplemental care for children with life–limiting illnesses. “We recently entered into a partnership with the state,” said Ivory. “We are the state’s only provider for ‘Partnership in Care: Together for Kids’ in Brevard County. PIC:TFK is offered by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Florida Department of Health, and the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association.”

“This is a great opportunity for St. Francis Reflections to reach the families that need assistance with pediatric palliative care. We have a dedicated team led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lauren Loftis. Working with children in the county is a passion of hers,” added Ivory. The PIC:TFK program relies on partnerships between state–employed care coordinators who identify children for possible enrollment, and palliative care staff who provide home and community–based services.

“At the heart of our mission is a commitment to uplifting lives in our community,” said Dr. Loftis, “As Brevard’s only dedicated pediatric palliative care team, we are privileged to provide specialized care and services for the seriously ill children of Brevard County.”

The program is supported by physicians, child–life specialists and registered nurse case managers. Together, their goal is to create a better quality of life for pediatric palliative care patients, their families, and the community–at–large.

The multidisciplinary team delivers complex care to help kids feel better and live more fully, said Kathryn Sparger, a Certified Child Life Specialist at St. Francis Reflections.

“It is my greatest honor to enhance quality of life by providing comfort, coping skills, and education using play and support through a developmentally appropriate lens for children living with serious illness and their families. To allow ‘kids to be kids’ and to be a ‘kid helper’ is a treasured privilege. I am proud to work alongside our specialized pediatric palliative team to uplift lives and provide sincere patient and family centered care,” said Sparger.

• The We Honor Veterans program provides special care and resources to veterans, along with personal recognition for their service to the nation.

“St. Francis Reflections is a Level Five partner in that program,” said Ivory. “That’s the highest level. We’re proud of that. The level requires annual renewal. Organizations must reapply for that status each year. All other levels are for life. We are the only Level Five partner in Brevard County.”

We Honor Veterans is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, or NHPCO. The Level Five recognition demonstrates a commitment to veteran–centric care in the community. St. Francis Reflections achieved the prestigious distinction in 2020.“Brevard County has a high concentration of active and retired military members, and it is not only thoughtful, but critical that they have access to resources that understand their unique needs and culture,” said Joe Killian, president and chief executive officer at St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care.

“We are grateful to give back to the community with highly trained staff to go beyond their medical training to ensure they provide culturally intuitive care to our veterans and their families.” As a partner, St. Francis Reflections provides specialized care to veterans who are facing serious illnesses. This includes a veteran–to–veteran volunteer program, training on conflict–specific medical and mental–health concerns, and knowledge to assist veterans in navigating VA benefits, he added. In addition to being a top partner, St. Francis Reflections is also a certified We Honor Veterans Level Five “Regional Mentor” for other hospice and community partners looking to start their own We Honor Veterans program and achieve the highest level. The NHPCO and the Department of Veterans Affairs started We Honor Veterans in 2010 to address the growing need for veteran care, especially as veterans from different eras are aging and need access to palliative and hospice care.

“We love our veterans,” said Cami Leech Florio, chief strategy officer at St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care. “They are a national treasure. We are honored to support them with our service, but also as members of our community. Through community partnerships and fundraising initiatives, we are regularly creating opportunities to ensure they feel supported.” Recently, St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care partnered with Courtenay Springs Village to expand its reach to residents of Central Brevard, Merritt Island, and the beaches. A newly renovated hospice care in–patient center at Courtenay Springs Village opened to the public Nov. 15. “Our nonprofit was founded on the philosophy of neighbors helping neighbors,” said Killian. “We are committed to providing the most comprehensive comfort–focused care in Brevard County. Our neighborhood is growing. Given recent population surges and an increase in demand for our services because of the pandemic, we must continue expanding to meet the needs of our neighbors, which is exactly what we will do.” The in–patient unit is intended for short–term management of complex symptoms and periods of respite where families can rest knowing their loved ones are being cared for with “compassion and dignity,” said Killian.

Located at 1100 S. Courtenay Parkway on Merritt Island, the St. Francis Reflections in–patient unit at Courtenay Springs Village features private rooms and 24/7 access for family members.

In 1977, Hospice of St. Francis, now St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care, was founded by Emilie Sasko, a Titusville nurse. She realized the need for greater comfort, understanding, and compassion for people nearing the end of life. Sasko had a dream that she “was being called to create a hospice,” and supported by her deep faith, family, and friends, founded the second hospice in this state. She inspired others with her belief in the concept of neighbor–helping–neighbor, and Hospice of St. Francis began as an all–volunteer organization. The hospice concept has only grown across the nation. In 2019, the latest available year, 1.6 million Medicare beneficiaries received hospice care, an increase of 3.9 percent from the previous year, according to the 2021 edition of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s “Facts and Figures” report.

Utilization of the hospice benefit remains slightly higher among individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans than among traditional Medicare users, while the trendline for hospice usage continues to increase in both groups. St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care will be marking its 45th year of service to the community in 2022. The organization has expanded to meet the needs of Brevard Countians. And fundraisers through the years have played an important role in the organization’s ability to add new services and programs.

“We think the Liverpool Live event will attract a lot of families,” said Lorey. “Our goal is to have a lot of our expenses covered by sponsorships. If we can do that, then the ticket sales will help fund the three programs that we are raising money for — NorthStar, Pediatric Palliative Care, and We Honor Veterans. These are outstanding programs that are filling niches in the market. We’re hoping for a big turnout Feb. 4 at Space Coast Complex.”