Published: April 28, 2008 10:22 am            

BRMC throws Silver Ball Gala

By Samantha Swindler | Managing Editor

Those who attended the Silver Ball Gala Saturday night were served roasted pheasant and flat iron steak — but their contributions to Baptist Regional Medical Center will help senior citizens in the Tri-County who are lucky to have one meal a day.

“You have helped feed a senior and buy prescriptions for someone who couldn’t buy prescriptions,” organizer Lee Richardson told the audience. “One-hundred percent goes back into the community.”

Baptist Regional Medical Center’s third annual Silver Ball Gala raises money for the hospital’s community health services department, which provides care, services and education to needy Tri-County residents.

Money raised during the gala will help fund projects such as the exercise program Body Recall and food vouchers, purchased in collaboration with Wal-Mart stores in London and Corbin.

“Milk is $6 a gallon, gas has gone up. They (seniors) can’t afford all these things,” Richardson said. “The sad part of it is a lot of them are too proud to ask for help.”

Richardson works with senior citizen centers, social workers and the staff at BRMC to identify people who may need an extra hand to pay for prescriptions, or even just food.

“There are people out there that can tell you what the best brand of dog food is to eat, and that’s horrible,” Richardson said. “My heart goes to the seniors, and that’s what I’m focused on right now.”

Saturday’s gala was a chance for guests to spend “A night in Paris,” and the Corbin Technology Center was decorated in fuchsia and black, with a cardboard Eiffel Tower greeting guests as they entered the lobby. Money was raised from ticket sales, a silent auction of items from local businesses, and a live auction conducted by Ford Brothers Auctioneers.

Kurt Resener of Louisville with Morrison Healthcare Food Services paid $1,200 during the live auction for the most unique item — to have a song serinaded to his wife Tabitha by songwriters and musicians Dillon Dixon and David Vincent Willams of Nashville, Tenn.

All of that money will go back to the Tri-County to help not only senior citizens, but to provide youth fitness programs such as Fitness Five and obesity clinics.

“We don’t just take care of seniors, we can help any age group, but we are primarily helping seniors,” Richardson said.

The event was catered by Your Secret Chef of London.

For more information on the community health services department at BRMC, contact Richardson at 523-8533.

        

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