West Islip, NY 11795 – The Board of Trustees and administration of Our Lady of Consolation Nursing & Rehabilitative Care Center in West Islip is pleased and proud to announce John King, President of J. Kings Food Service Professional, Inc., has been chosen as the 2005 recipient of Consolation's 11th Annual Celebration of Life Award. Mr. King, owner and founder of J. Kings Food Service Professionals, Inc. and an active volunteer and supporter of numerous charitable organizations on Long Island, will be presented with this award at Consolation’s Annual Celebration of Life Ball on Wednesday, May 4, 2005.

Our Lady of Consolation's Trustee Emeritus John J. Halleron, III and his wife, Rebecca Halleron, are co-chairpersons and dinner sponsors of the event to be held at Southward Ho Country Club in Bay Shore. Mr. Halleron, a respected attorney and member of the Long Island business community, has served as a past president of Our Lady of Consolation’s Board of Trustees and was a trustee from 1976 through 2004. Together, John and Becky Halleron are long-time friends, volunteers and benefactors of Our Lady of Consolation. 

Our Lady of Consolation established the Celebration of Life Ball in 1994 to recognize individuals and businesses in the local community for their contributions to the vitality, quality of life, and economic growth of Long Island.

“Mr. King has been selected as the recipient of this year’s Celebration of Life Award in recognition of his outstanding community service and commitment for the benefit of the residents and patients at Our Lady of Consolation as well as many others in the local community who benefit from his support,” said Our Lady of Consolation's President & CEO Dennis J. Verzi.

In addition to supporting the mission of Our Lady of Consolation, Mr. King serves as Chairman of the Hospice Care Network and a member of the Advisory Board of Saint John the Baptist High School. He has received numerous awards throughout the years from various business and benevolent associations including the 2003 IFDA Merit Award for the marketing campaign for Mountain Blend Coffee and was named Associate Member of the Year by the Long Island Chapter of the New York Restaurant Association. 

Funds raised by the Celebration of Life Ball directly benefit programs and services for the patients and residents at Our Lady of Consolation Nursing and Rehabilitative Care Center. For more information about reservations, sponsorship or journal advertising opportunities, please contact Consolation’s Community Relations Assistant Gina Irwin at (631) 587-1600, ext. 8357.