Adventist Health Benefit Gala Raises $167,750 for Women’s and Children’s Health
December 4, 2019 (Clearlake, Calif.) – Nearly 250 guests joined Adventist Health Clear Lake’s Development Council as they celebrated the 2nd Annual Benefit Gala at Boatique Winery on November 9th.
The Benefit Gala is the single largest fundraising event the Hospital holds. This year, the generosity of paddle-raise donors, event sponsors and silent auction bidders helped Adventist Health raised a grand total of $167,750. These funds will support two selected programs, Adventist Clear Lake Healthy Kids and the Live Well Institute, which will touch the lives of thousands of Lake County women and children and transform the health of many.
Guests, including Gold Sponsors Laurie and Doug Dohring, Dr. Edward Gabriel, Madi Mount, David & Denise Santos and the Redbud Health Care District, were welcomed on the red carpet to an evening of exquisite dining, passionate presentations and delightful entertainment.
At the start of the evening’s program there was a moment of silence in remembrance of the one-year anniversary of the Camp Fire. Lake County first responders represented by Lake County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Charlie Diener were honored with a standing ovation followed by a poignant vocal performance of God Bless America by Keith Cordis of Barron Cordia Management.
Following this, David Santos, President of Adventist Health Clear Lake painted a picture of his vision to strengthen collaboration with community organizations and create a healthier future for Lake County. He encouraged attendees to partner with the Adventist Health in raising community awareness and philanthropic support to advance women’s and children’s health initiatives. Auctioneer Ellen Toscano spurred the crowd to donate from $100 to $25,000 to achieve the night’s grand total in support of two projects; Adventist Health and Clear Lake Healthy Kids and expansion of the hospital’s Live Initiative. The evening was capped off with ‘after-glow’ dancing to the music of the Funky Dozen.
Adventist Health and Clear Lake Healthy Kids will be a new touring education and outreach program for kids in Lake County. Based on a model created by Rideout Healthy Kids, an Adventist Health-sponsored touring performance group in Yuba-Sutter, the program will use music, dance and comedy to teach important life building skills including healthy diet, exercise, positive image and treatment of oneself and others.
The Live Well Institute is home to Live Well, a one-of-a-kind program grounded in proven methods to help patients achieve optimal health. Expansion of the program is planned to include specific services for women’s heart health, the number one killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. Through this expansion, the program will focus on deepening our education around prevention and early diagnosis for cardiac disease for women.
“Women are the heart of our families and communities” said David Santos, President of Adventist Health Clear Lake. “Heart disease is rampant in Lake County. We want to address and educate the women in our communities because they are often misdiagnosed.”
“The Development Council of Adventist Health Clear Lake will continue to provide philanthropic support of new and innovative lifestyle medicine programs” said Ben Hill, Manager, Development Council. “These new programs will help to transform the health of Lake County residents. Adventist Health Healthy Kids and the Live Well Institute will benefit thousands of Lake County women and children and will be adopted by households and families county-wide.”
Adventist Health Clear Lake’s Development Council continues to work for the growth of programs that improve the health of Lake County residents. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, visit our giving page at https://www.adventisthealth.org/clear-lake/about-us/giving/ or contact the Development Council at 707.995.5757. View photos of the event: https://laurieannmartinphotography.shootproof.com/gallery/10862846/
