Leonardtown, Maryland – Area healthcare champions came together to dine, dance and donate at the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation’s 28th annual Gala held Nov. 20 at the Hollywood Social Hall in Hollywood, Maryland.
The gala is the Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser and this year netted more than $145,000. Donations to the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation fund scholarships for area students pursing healthcare professions and help support capital expansion projects and equipment.
“We are thrilled to partner with so many community members and businesses in the common goal of ensuring high-quality health care continue to be available to the residents of Southern Maryland,” said Jennifer Blake-Meyer, chair of the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. “The gala is not just a fund-raiser for us, it is also a time to come together and celebrate what we have accomplished as well as what we hope to accomplish in the coming year. It is an opportunity to say thank you to all of our supporters and to build solid relationships on which we hope to continue to build a strong foundation of support for our local hospital.”
Special recognition was given this year to the event’s Presenting Sponsor ($25,000), MedStar Shah Medical Group, as well as Premiere Sponsors ($15,000), Associates in Radiation Medicine and G&H Jewelers. G&H donated a diamond and earrings set which was raffled off during the event. Diamond Sponsors ($10,000) for 2015 were AMEWAS, Inc., The Cherry Cove Group, MedStar Health, MEP Health – Making People Better, and Christine Wray & John Felicitas. An additional 56 businesses and community members generously sponsored the event at Platinum ($6,000), Gold ($4,000), Silver ($2,500) and Bronze ($850) levels.
Special thanks for the evening were extended to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard, Jan and Tom Barnes, ServoPro of St. Mary’s and Calvert, graphic arts students from the James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center, Hargrove Inc., Something Special by Tracy, and Tom and Carol Davis of Your Journey Studios.
The 28th Annual Foundation Gala featured a James Bond “Diamonds are Forever” theme in coordination with the release of the latest Bond film, “Spectre,” which opened in movie theaters in early November. Greeting guests as they arrived at the Hollywood Social Hall were three cars similar to those featured in various Bond films loaned to the Foundation for the evening by Jennifer and Tim Meyer (1997 BMW Z3 Roadster), Pete Innocenti (1994 Lotus Esprit S4) and Mike Hall (1973 Mustang Mach 1).
Surrounding guests who entered the hall were iconic images of Bond characters including villains, protégés and Bond women. Decorated in an elegant black, white and red theme, the evening’s three-course meal was catered by Ken’s Creative Kitchen in Annapolis, Maryland, and music was provided by the band, Nocturne.
