'Touching Hearts' Raises $8,000
George Nianiatus, senior writer
Communications Department
On some rare occasions a community fundraising event goes beyond original expectations.
It happened on a wintry evening Feb. 7 when “Touching Hearts, Changing Lives” was held at the Grace Lutheran Church Community Life Center as a fundraiser for the Bradford Hospital Auxiliary, whose goal is to support Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), and the AKtion Club, a Kiwanis-sponsored organization for adults with disabilities. The event raised $8,000.
“Given the economic conditions, the sponsorships meant that much more to us,” says Virginia Hauser, the Auxiliary’s executive director, of the 170 who attended the gala featuring EJ the DJ and a large video screen for added visual effects, plus a hors d’oeuvres buffet catered by the Kennedy Street Café.
“But sometimes an event like this is not just all about raising money. It’s about touching people’s hearts. From what I saw, we clearly accomplished that at this event,” Mrs. Hauser says. “I saw a lot of genuine emotion and happiness from those who attended.”
The event may prompt another collaboration between the Auxiliary and the AKtion Club, she notes.
AKtion Club President Mike Walter wholeheartedly agrees with the assessment the event was worthwhile.
“I was pleased that Ginny asked us to be a part of the event. We had fun helping out with the planning and preparation and I was happy with the turnout. Everybody had a good time. Nobody sat down once the music started,” Mr. Walter says.
The cost to attend the event was $50, which provided a ticket for the purchaser and also sponsored an adult with a disability to attend. For each ticket purchased, $25 was tax-deductible.
Since its inception, the 76-year-old Auxiliary has expanded in scope to raise awareness and funds and to provide volunteer services and support for BRMC services, programs, equipment, construction and community programs.
As evidence of its work, the Auxiliary donated $60,000 to the hospital last year. This was part of the Auxiliary’s largest five-year pledge in history of $300,000 for the Outpatient Services Center, which opened in January 2007, that’s a part of BRMC’s $15 million “Building the Future” campus improvement project. Part II of the plan, completed last summer, included doubling the size of the Emergency Department and completely redesigning it to get patients admitted and treated more quickly, improve quality, safety and customer service.
The AKtion Club is Bradford’s newest community service club. It already has had an impact. Last year it helped with Hanley Park renovation work and assisting The Salvation Army with its Kettle Drive.
Communications Department
On some rare occasions a community fundraising event goes beyond original expectations.
It happened on a wintry evening Feb. 7 when “Touching Hearts, Changing Lives” was held at the Grace Lutheran Church Community Life Center as a fundraiser for the Bradford Hospital Auxiliary, whose goal is to support Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), and the AKtion Club, a Kiwanis-sponsored organization for adults with disabilities. The event raised $8,000.
“Given the economic conditions, the sponsorships meant that much more to us,” says Virginia Hauser, the Auxiliary’s executive director, of the 170 who attended the gala featuring EJ the DJ and a large video screen for added visual effects, plus a hors d’oeuvres buffet catered by the Kennedy Street Café.
“But sometimes an event like this is not just all about raising money. It’s about touching people’s hearts. From what I saw, we clearly accomplished that at this event,” Mrs. Hauser says. “I saw a lot of genuine emotion and happiness from those who attended.”
The event may prompt another collaboration between the Auxiliary and the AKtion Club, she notes.
AKtion Club President Mike Walter wholeheartedly agrees with the assessment the event was worthwhile.
“I was pleased that Ginny asked us to be a part of the event. We had fun helping out with the planning and preparation and I was happy with the turnout. Everybody had a good time. Nobody sat down once the music started,” Mr. Walter says.
The cost to attend the event was $50, which provided a ticket for the purchaser and also sponsored an adult with a disability to attend. For each ticket purchased, $25 was tax-deductible.
Since its inception, the 76-year-old Auxiliary has expanded in scope to raise awareness and funds and to provide volunteer services and support for BRMC services, programs, equipment, construction and community programs.
As evidence of its work, the Auxiliary donated $60,000 to the hospital last year. This was part of the Auxiliary’s largest five-year pledge in history of $300,000 for the Outpatient Services Center, which opened in January 2007, that’s a part of BRMC’s $15 million “Building the Future” campus improvement project. Part II of the plan, completed last summer, included doubling the size of the Emergency Department and completely redesigning it to get patients admitted and treated more quickly, improve quality, safety and customer service.
The AKtion Club is Bradford’s newest community service club. It already has had an impact. Last year it helped with Hanley Park renovation work and assisting The Salvation Army with its Kettle Drive.
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