Published: November 05, 2009 03:13 pm      

Crime fighters' cause | Auxiliary's annual gala aids critical care unit

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

Mythical law enforcers will converge on Johnstown to help heal the sick.

Superheroes, Villains and Vixens is the theme of the annual gala of the Auxiliary of Memorial Medical Center. The event will be held Nov. 21 at Sunnehanna Country Club, 1000 Sunnehanna Drive, Westmont.

Eileen Graham, gala co-chairwoman, said that costumed characters such as Spiderman, Batman and Superman will be portrayed by volunteers.

“Each room will be decorated for a different superhero,” Graham said. “There will be the mystic planet Krypton, Batman’s Gotham City and the island Themyscra, with Wonder Woman and her Lasso of Truth. There also will be a Casino of Villains.”

Graham added that guests may attend the gala in costume if they like, but it is not required.

“This is not a costume party,” she said.

“It’s black tie optional, and people dress elegantly. There are always some people who try to dress to the theme every year.”

The gala raises funds to add to and/or expand services at the medical center.

This year, the auxiliary has a goal of $80,000 to be put toward the expansion of the medical center’s critical care unit, in addition to other programs at Memorial.

“The main focus will be on the critical care unit, which provides care to people from across the entire region,” Graham said. “When we learned of the dire need to expand the unit in order to accommodate more patients, there was no question that the auxiliary would lend its support.”

Memorial’s expansion will include an increase in the number of critical care beds to 34 from 25. The nine beds will be incorporated into a specialized coronary care unit.

In 2006 and 2007, $200,000 was raised for a new palliative care unit, and last year, the gala helped to raise more than $80,000 for a new cardiac catheterization laboratory.

The deadline for tickets, which are $100 per person, is Nov. 16.

Tickets are available by calling the auxiliary office at 534-5985.

The evening will begin with cocktails and a silent auction at 6 p.m.

Silent auction items will include a hot-air balloon ride, gift certificates to restaurants, artwork, tickets for the Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh Penguins and jewelry.

A Bruce Wayne mansion-inspired dinner and live auction will follow at 7.

Live auction items will feature a women’s cashmere coat with fur trim, a diamond necklace, wine dinner and golf packages and an overnight stay at Bedford Springs Hotel that includes breakfast.

“The response for donations from the community has been remarkable,” Graham said. “This event would not be possible without donations and the help of volunteers.”

Organizations or businesses interested in contributing at the sponsorship level or by donating items to the auctions should contact Graham at 255-1488, ext. 157, or the auxiliary office.

Last year, 375 people attended the gala, and Graham is hoping for that many or more this year.

Kim and Debbie Craig are honorary chairpersons.

After dinner and the live auction, there will be a $5,000 cash giveaway.

“We’re still selling tickets at the auxiliary office, and there’s a one-in-400 chance to win,” Graham said. “You don’t have to be present to win.”

Entertainment will be dancing to the Pittsburgh band Jeff Jimerson & Airborne, psychic Lou Ann Gray, and Connie Perrin and Concepts Dance Studio dancers.

“People love the psychic,” Graham said. “We have the same one every year.”

At 8:30, gaming will begin in the Villains Casino on the upper floor of the country club.

“They will receive $500 in casino cash to start, then they can purchase more,” Graham said. “We’ll have prizes.”

Beverly Poole and Jamie Hahm also are gala co-chairwomen.

Graham said her 15-member committee is made up of volunteers.

“I couldn’t do the job without them,” she added. “It would not be possible. This is not a one-person show.”

Since 1995, the auxiliary has raised more than $1.5 million for local health-related causes.



Fundraiser

What: Superheroes, Villains and Vixens, Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary’s annual gala.

Where: Sunnehanna Country Club, 1000 Sunnehanna Drive, Westmont.

When: 6 p.m. Nov. 21.

Tickets: $100 per person.

Information: 534-5985.