STE. GENEVIEVE — Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital (SGCMH) foundation’s signature fundraising event, the gala, will be held virtually again this year. You can participate in the Friends to Friends Virtual Gala from the comfort of your home November 5-7, so dress up in anything from your PJs to a nice suit and enjoy the show!
“Having the event virtually last year made it a little easier this year and it has given us time to include more fun and excitement,” said Holli Ledbetter, Director of the Friends Foundation. “We’re going to roll with it, have lots of fun and stay as safe as possible.”
The virtual gala kicks off Friday, November 5 at noon and will end on Sunday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. As an added incentive, register to bid before November 5 and your name will be entered into a drawing for a $250 bidding credit. Two winners will be announced during the opening video welcome.
Ledbetter said she’ll be sending out text messages through that weekend to let everyone know how much time is left, the hot popular items, and more.
“We are very excited about the wonderful items that everyone can have the opportunity to bid on,” said Ledbetter. “We are so grateful for the continued generosity of this community and the support of our sponsors that make this possible. Every dollar raised through this gala will continue to support SGCMH in providing exceptional care for Ste. Genevieve and surrounding communities.”
Ledbetter said there are numerous, unique items that would make for great Christmas gifts.
“Participants will be able to bid on signed shin guards by Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina,” said Ledbetter. “We have smart phones, Coach handbag, jewelry, home décor, an airplane ride, gift cards, artwork—in short a great lineup of items. I would encourage everybody to go on the website and check them out.”
Ledbetter explained that you do not have to register to bid, so if you want to browse the items feel free. Just visit the Gala website at www.2ndvirtualgala.givesmart.com.
Continuing the excitement, this year the Friends have replaced the golden ticket with a drawing.
“In the past we’ve done golden tickets and jewelry tickets as a way to add more fun for the audience,” Ledbetter said. “Since we’re not in person, we have put together a pretty awesome drawing. The drawing includes a Traeger grill and Yeti cooler filled with goodies. The chances are one for $20; 3 chances for $50 and 8 chances for $100. Chances must be purchased through Venmo, FriendsofSGCMH or cash/check at the front entrance of the hospital.”
The gala is the final fundraising event for the year and despite the interruption of numerous events, Ledbetter said the Friends have still been able to accomplish a lot.
“It’s been a very good year,” she said. “The community and our sponsors have been very responsive to our needs. They understand what it takes to support a community hospital and the struggle that we’ve been going through as a healthcare organization riding the wave of COVID. Our staff has done an excellent job and we continue to prepare ourselves for the future.”
During 2020, the Friends Foundation donated over $135,000 to SGCMH funding a variety of projects including assistance with two major equipment purchases. The foundation’s first contribution supported the central monitoring system in the Alan P. Lyss Center for Cancer Care. And secondly, funds paid off the 3D mammography unit at Bloomsdale Medical Centre.
In 2021, the foundation supported a video laryngoscope for anesthesia, assisted in the orthopedic clinic renovation and recently purchased automated external defibrillators (AED)s for SGCMH facilities, the local community center and school systems.
For more information, contact Holli Ledbetter at the Friends Foundation at 573-883-7725 or email hledbetter@sgcmh.org.
Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital is a nonprofit county owned community hospital that works to continue to improve the health and well-being of the community. Our professional staff uses advanced technology and medicine to provide excellent, personalized, and compassionate healthcare. For more information on Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, visit stegenevievehospital.org.