N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2018
Saratoga Hospital’s 36th Annual Gala Set for Aug. 1
Event benefits Saratoga Community Health Center
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, July 17, 2018—Saratoga Hospital will hold its 36th Annual Gala presented by Julie & Co. Realty, LLC and Bonacio Construction Inc. on Wednesday, August 1, at The Polo Meadow on the grounds of Saratoga Casino Hotel. Proceeds benefit Saratoga Hospital’s Saratoga Community Health Center—the only facility in the Saratoga region to provide high-quality, routine healthcare to individuals regardless of their ability to pay.
A highlight of the summer season, The Gala is one of the Capital Region’s largest, most successful charitable fundraisers. The event is known for its distinctive auction items and colorful themes—this year, “Havana Nights”.
“The Gala is an event like no other in the Capital Region,” Committee Co-Chair Wendy Lawrence said. “This year’s theme of Havana Nights promises colorful décor, incredible specialty cocktails, and delicious, Cuban-inspired cuisine. As is tradition, the live auction will be conducted by a Fasig-Tipton auctioneer, and Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson are our Honorary Chairs.”
Co-Chair Jennifer Hennessy added “The Gala Committee has been hard at work putting together live and silent auction line-ups that people won’t want to miss, and this year attendees will be able to use mobile bidding for the silent auction.”
For hundreds of attendees, the event’s biggest draw is the opportunity to support Saratoga Community Health Center. Serving more than 6,600 patients, the facility provides comprehensive primary care, dental, behavioral, and addiction medicine health services. The center also helps patients obtain no- or low-cost health insurance, connects them with specialty medical care and community services, and continually finds ways to engage patients in improving their health and quality of life.
“Since we opened, we’ve grown from accommodating 5,600 visits that first year to expecting about 25,000 visits this year. The center is a vital community resource, and we couldn’t do it without the fundraising support of The Gala,” said Renée Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD, FAAFP, medical director, Saratoga Community Health Center. “The generosity of all our supporters is a true testament to their trust in the important work being done at the CHC. Sponsors, auction donors, volunteers and guests—they each have our wholehearted thanks.”
The Gala nets about $300,000 each year for the Community Health Center. This year’s auction items include an overnight stay for two with tickets to two Broadway shows; a Christmas excursion to Hawaii; a week’s stay in Cape Cod; box seats for Travers Day at Saratoga Race Course; a weekend Maserati driving experience; and much more. A complete list is available at www.saratogahospitalgala.org
The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m., with the live auction at 7 p.m. Reservations cost $175 per person ($125 for those 21-35) and are available at www.saratogahospitalgala.org. For questions, email acarroll@saratogahospital.org, or call 518-583-8340.
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About Saratoga Community Health Center: Saratoga Community Health Center (CHC) is the only facility of its kind in the greater Saratoga region, focused on the needs of our region’s uninsured and underinsured residents. Since opening in 2013, this vital community resource has profoundly impacted the lives of thousands of patients and families, affording them access to high quality, compassionate, affordable primary, dental, and behavioral health care – regardless of ability to pay. In just over four years, staff has grown from 11 to 41 to meet rapidly increasing patient demand. In 2017, the CHC had nearly 22,000 patient visits, with over 25,000 visits expected in 2018.
About Saratoga Hospital Foundation: Saratoga Hospital Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga County’s leading healthcare provider. As such, the foundation secures, manages and distributes charitable gifts to support the mission of Saratoga Hospital and its affiliates. Over the years, the foundation has raised more than $40 million for Saratoga Hospital programs and facilities, all of which benefit the people of the Saratoga region. For more information:www.saratogahospitalfoundation.org.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Hopper
Director, Marketing and Communications
518.583.8679