Jeffrey Wands, a Long Island psychic medium, was featured as part of a fundriaser held at to raise money for cultural arts programming.
The event was organized by the Patchogue-Medford's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council. PTA co-chair Cindy Cristman said funds raised would benefit programs such as the authors in residence program and diversity training.
This marks the fifth year Wands has participated in the PTA's annual fundraiser. Wands works through a contract with and hosts the radio station's "Psychic Sundays" show from 10 p.m. to midnight.
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As a psychic medium, Wands says he communicates with the dead and in doing so often provides closure to people who have lost loved ones.
"I'm like a bungee cord, I get pulled to people," Wands said of his work.
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During the event, Wands walked around the auditorium and randomly spoke to people whose deceased loved ones were "present."
Bea Gagliano of Medford was one audience member who wished to communicate with her deceased family members.
"It was really quite incredible," Gagliano said of the psychic communication she had experienced, explaining that Wands knew specific and personal things about her deceased loved ones, including her mother-in-law who had forgiven her.
The event was expected to bring in about $4,000, according to Cristman.
Altogether about 350 people purchased tickets for the $30 event, which was a drop from last year's turnout of more than 600. Cristman said the drop in 2011 ticket sales was caused by other events that took place in the area on the same day.
For the 350 audience members, the event was an experience they would not forget.
Debbie and Joanna Carr, sisters from Medford who won the tickets at a Chinese auction also held at the high school, said they were happy to have experienced Wands at work.
