BRMC Silver Ball Gala raises $55,000 for charity, health programs

BRMC Food Services Director Monty Lowans served as auctioneer during the Silver Ball Gala, held Saturday at The Arena in Corbin.

Whether in formal wear or attired to fit the "Denim and Diamonds" theme, about 275 people gathered for the Seventh Annual Silver Ball Gala Saturday to do more than just dress up for a night on the town.

They gathered to support a cadre of programs sponsored by Baptist Regional Medical Center in Corbin focused on making the hospital’s service area a more health and vibrant place to live.

About $55,000 was raised this year to fund a wide range of programs during the Silver Ball Gala -a popular fundraising event sponsored by Baptist Regional Medical Center in support of its Community Health Services initiative. Organizers are expecting even more donations in coming days.

"I want you to realize that what you are doing tonight makes a difference in our community," said Lee Richardson, Community Services Coordinator for BRMC. "All the money we raise goes to pay for very important programs."

The gala is a formal event that consists of dinner, silent and live auctions, and musical entertainment. It is the creation of BRMC Community Service Coordinator Lee Richardson and was started as a way to fund the hospital’s outreach initiatives. Those efforts range from providing meals to the poor and elderly to sponsoring fitness improvement programs in the community. It is officially called the FOCUS program, because its intent is to "focus" on the needs of the community that BRMC serves.

The Gala was held again this year at the The Arena in Corbin.

From May 2011 to the present, FOCUS has:

• Sponsored and participated in numerous health related programs including – Body Recall for church and nursing homes, Senior Day, the Senior Games, Diabetes Smart, Germ Busters, Fitness Five, Dare to Compare, Kroger Senior Day, NIBROC Just Lose it, the Belk Health Fair and various health fairs;

• Provided 390 meals to the Corbin Senior Citizens Center at a total cost of $780;

• Home delivered 1,140 meals to senior adults at a cost of $5,680;

• Provided 466 prescription medications to 100 patients who could not pay for them on their own;

• Organized a back-to-school preparation event called "Redi Fest" and an event for expectant mothers called "Baby Fest."

• Sponsored the Go Red Dinner and the Cancer Survivor Dinner.

"From churches to service organizations, volunteer groups to municipalities, if we can put our resources, planning and funds together, we can collectively do a better job of meeting our community’s challenges," said Larry W. Gray, President of Baptist Regional Medical Center. "That’s the ultimate goal. Trust me, the well being of the underserved and indigent in our area is a concern we all share."

Silent and live auction items were donated by supporters of the gala. Big ticket items included: an Apple Ipad 3, dinner for 8 by Chef Richard Lewis, weekend houseboat rental at Grove Marina, A 40-inch Samsung flat panel Smart TV, Genevac generator and a Labor Day weekend Smoky Mountains Getaway.

Musical entertainment following the dinner was provided by the Brady Seals Band. Seals is a well-known country music artist who served as co-lead vocalist and keyboardist in the band Little Texas.

Anyone who wants to donate to BRMC’s Community Health Services Program can do so by calling Richardson at 523-2412.