N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2019
Saratoga Hospital’s 37th Annual Gala Set for July 31
Event supports Saratoga Community Health Center and wellness across the region
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, June 24, 2019—Saratoga Hospital will hold its 37th Annual Gala, presented by Julie & Co. Realty, LLC and Bonacio Construction Inc., on Wednesday, July 31, at The Polo Meadow on the grounds of Saratoga Casino Hotel. Proceeds benefit Saratoga Hospital’s Saratoga Community Health Center (CHC), which provides access to high quality, patient-centered, affordable healthcare.
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 enticing auction items and vibrant themes—this year, “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
“This year’s Gala promises colorful, summer-inspired décor, specialty cocktails and authentic Italian cuisine to transport our guests to the Tuscan countryside,” said Committee Co-Chair Jennifer Hennessy. “Continuing the tradition, our live auction will be conducted by a Fasig-Tipton auctioneer, and Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson are our Honorary Chairs.”
Co-Chair Wendy Lawrence added, “The Gala Committee’s tireless efforts have once again yielded unique live and silent auction line-ups you won’t find elsewhere—from a week at a Tuscan villa to Cape Cod getaways, a Food Truck Party to a visit from Santa! It’s amazing how this event brings together so many members of our community to make such a profound and positive impact on the overall health of Saratoga and beyond.”
Each year, nearly 1,000 Gala sponsors, auction winners and guests help raise about $300,000 to support Saratoga Community Health Center. The CHC employs a Community Medicine approach to treat the whole patient, in all facets of his/her life, with the aim of cultivating wellness across our community. Staff and practitioners operate as an integrated healthcare system to provide coordinated care across all offered service lines: primary, dental, behavioral health, and–since 2017–addiction medicine. The result is a seamless care experience that meets all of patients’ healthcare needs–keeping Saratoga healthy and at its best.
“The center’s growth has been tremendous,” said Renée Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD, FAAFP, medical director, Saratoga Community Health Center. “In the five and a half years since we opened, we’ve grown from 10 staff and 5,600 annual patient visits to 36staff members with the expectation of more than 25,000 visits this year. The center is a vital community resource. It helps patients obtain no- or low-cost health insurance, connects them with specialty medical care and community services, and continually finds ways to improve their health and quality of life. We’re truly grateful to the Gala sponsors, auction donors, volunteers and guests—we couldn’t do what we do without their support.”
Additional auction items up for bid this year include trips to the Masters and the Country Music Awards; prime seats for Red Sox vs. Yankees and the 2019 U.S. Open; box seats for Travers Day at Saratoga Race Course; Gala Guy, a prestigious annual tradition; and much more. In addition to the exciting live auction, guests in attendance–as well as those who cannot join–can bid on silent auction packages from their mobile devices.
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). Auction item details, reservations, mobile bidding registration and additional event information is available at www.saratogahospitalgala.org. For questions, email krocque@saratogahospital.org or call 518-583-8789.
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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 providing high quality, primary, dental, behavioral and addiction medicine health services to members of our community, regardless of their insurance status and ability to pay. Since opening in 2013, this vital community resource has profoundly impacted the lives of thousands of patients and families, growing from a staff 11 to 36 to meet rapidly increasing patient demand. In 2019, the CHC expects more than 25,000 visits.
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. Over the years, the foundation has raised more than $55 million for Saratoga Hospital programs and facilities, all of which benefit the people of the Saratoga region. For more information, visit www.saratogahospitalfoundation.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katie Rocque
Manager, Institutional Advancement
Saratoga Hospital Foundation
518.583.8789
krocque@saratogacare.org
Peter Hopper
Director, Marketing and Communications
Saratoga Hospital
518.583.8679
phopper@saratogahospital.org