Popular radio talk show hosts on hand for local fundraising gala

About 250 people flocked to the Corbin Center for Technology and Community Activities Saturday night to hear popular syndicated talk radio hosts Bob Lacey and Sheri Lynch share wit and wisdom about life and their morning show.
The black-tie gala was all part of a fundraising effort for Baptist Regional Medical Center’s Focus program – formed to help the elderly become healthier and deal with the cost of medication and illness.
“The baby boomers are going to outnumber the youth in this country and there’s not going to be money in Social Security and Medicare,” Community Services Coordinator Lee Richardson said. She oversees the Focus program.
“In the future, you are going to have to take care of yourself. There’s not going to be enough beds in the nursing homes or hospitals and a lot of people are not going to have the money to pay for their medications if they don’t get healthy.”
Richardson said Focus was started last year and has many facets. There’s a voucher program to help seniors pay for food and necessary medications. A walking group that meets two times a week and even an exercise program called “Body Recall” that helps less mobile seniors.
“We had one woman that finished the 10-week Body Recall program who came in a wheelchair. Her goal was to get out of the wheelchair,” Richardson said. “Mid way through class she was on a walker. Last day of class … she walked.”
During the gala, attendees enjoyed a $100 per plate meal and also took part in an auction for items donated by local businesses.
After dinner, Bob and Sheri took the stage and fielded questions for the audience.
“If you are drunk and getting a homemade tattoo when you call our show, you’ll probably get on the air,” Lacey told the crowd when asked a question about the types of calls they receive. “That’s what I think America wants.”
The duo talked about a range of subjects, including first time callers, their personal lives, being just beaten several times for radio’s top award The Marconi and celebrity stalkers.
Locally, their show can be heard in the mornings on 96.1 FM.
Richardson said she was able to book the two radio stars by luck.
“I begged,” she said. “It went great. Everyone has been very positive and enjoyed it and I can’t wait until next year.”
Richardson said the good times and laughs will help jumpstart the program, which has only limited funding. Final fundraising figures were not available at press time.
Money raised from the program will go to fund aspects of the Focus program, and also help with the construction of a walking track near the Baptist Family Fitness Center in north Corbin. The track will be named in honor of Roderick Weisert, M.D.