Published: October 31, 2005 03:04 pm      

'Gem of an Evening'

Memorial auxiliary to host Winter Gala at Sunnehanna

There will be plenty of sparkle when the Memorial Medical Center auxiliary holds its Winter Gala on Nov. 19 at Sunnehanna Country Club in Westmont.

While patrons will add glitz to the black-tie-optional event, much of the glitter typifies the gala’s theme, which is “Gem of an Evening.”

“Anyone who purchases a ticket will automatically be eligible to win any number of pieces of beautiful jewelry,” said Mary Battaline of Upper Yoder Township, co-chairwoman of the annual fund-raising event.

Cost is $95 a person. The gala begins with a cocktail hour at 7.

Dinner is at 8, followed by dancing to the sounds of Flood City Brass.

Proceeds from the dinner-dance support the initiatives throughout Conemaugh Health System’s Office of Community Health.

Battaline and Kathy Masiello of Upper Yoder Township, also a co-chairwoman, are urging the community to attend not only to have a good time, but also to help a good cause.

“This is a great way to kick off the holiday season in style,” Masiello said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to get dressed up and get together for a worthy cause.”

The women said the Office of Community Health offers a variety of valuable programs.

“We are eager to contribute to these programs that directly impact the lives of the adults and children living in our community,” Battaline said.

Masiello said some of those enterprises are aimed at childhood obesity, injury prevention for children and the elderly, diabetes and screenings for lung and colon cancers.

Another initiative the auxiliary is undertaking is the establishment of a relaxation garden to be located at the John P. Murtha Neuroscience and Pain Institute in Richland Township.

The garden’s objective is to soothe and comfort those suffering from incurable diseases such as Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

The jewelry to be given away includes a diamond and emerald bracelet, ruby and diamond earrings, a sapphire and diamond ring, a men’s gold watch or a gold and amethyst pendant and chain.

“It will really add a fun element to the event,” Battaline said. “For those who want to buy a chance on the jewelry but do not attend the event, $5 tickets are available at the Little Shop at Memorial Medical Center.

“This year’s event is significant because it marks the first gala since Memorial Medical Center’s acquisition of Lee Regional,” said Kathy Gorzelsky of Westmont, auxiliary president. “We are urging physicians and employees from both campuses to come together for an evening of fun. But this event is not just for medical personnel, it is a community event.”

Gorzelsky stressed that the auxiliary is not a group of doctors’ wives.

“We have about 140 members who come from all walks of life,” Gorzelsky said. “The auxiliary is comprised of men and women who recognize the need to provide health service through grants that support many community programs.”

In the past 83 years, the auxiliary has raised more than $1 million to support programs and initiatives throughout the Conemaugh Health System.

Honorary co-chairpersons for the gala are Robert A. and Jeanne Gleason. Mr. Gleason is former chairman of the board at Memorial Medical Center.

Tickets can be obtained from the auxiliary office at 534-5985 or at the Little Shop.



Tom Lavis can be reached at 532-5054 or tlavis@tribdem.com.