Yellow Pages
It was Mardi Gras in Anacortes during the Island Hospital Foundation’s sixth annual Gala of Hope.
About 264 guests were decked out in masks and costumes for the April 25 event that raised $80,000 for health screens, the Island Health Resource Center and capital equipment, and $50,000 during the Heart Strings auction that raises money for a specific cause.
This year that cause was two high definition colonoscopes that were funded in less than 10 minutes of bidding, said foundation development coordinator Courtney Orrock.
While the Heart Strings portion of the evening collected straight donations, the main live auction, featuring items such as a trip to New Orleans, a Max Benjamin oil painting and gourmet dinner certificates, caused a few bidding wars, Orrock said.
Everyone did great in organizing the event this year, especially event chair Jo Ann Ross, who did a phenomenal job, Orrock said.
“Thanks to the community for great support. It was great fun,” she said.
Last year’s gala brought in $225,000 before accounting for expenses while this year’s event brought in $170,000 gross.
Orrock agreed the reduction was probably attributed to the current poor economy.
“Even with that, it’s a great number,” she said.
The expenses for the event equaled about 25 percent of the amount raised, which is a great percentage, Orrock said. And 90 percent of that was spent locally.
Next year’s theme is already chosen and takes off on the gala being moved from the Skagit Valley Casino Resort to the Port of Anacortes warehouse this year. Guests at the seventh annual event will be celebrating “Cruising at the Port.”
Tickets for this year’s event were $125.
