PMH Foundation Fall Gala makes return

The Pioneers Memorial Hospital Foundation’s annual Fall Gala will make its return Thursday after a year’s absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospital’s Gala Lawn at 207 W. Legion Road.

The foundation selected the theme, “Celebrating Life Together,” for this year’s event.

“We’re very excited to be able to hold our Gala this year,” PMH Foundation member and event organizer Marselle Cooke said in a release. “We’ll be able to have it on the Gala Lawn once again now that construction on the cath lab has finished. We’re almost back to how we were 3-4 years ago, so we’re really looking forward to it.”

While there will be some differences this year, particularly in terms of safety measures, the PMH Foundation promised this year’s gala will deliver its typical evening of evening of fun, fellowship, local art and good food.

“We were more than ready to see the return of our Gala as the community has always known it,” PMH Foundation President Shelvie Crittendon said.

Marvin Lewis will serve as the night’s master of ceremonies. He also serves as the auction chair, working to gather unique pieces of art, jewelry and other items for bid.

“We scaled back a bit on the quantity of items but certainly not the quality,” he said. “We have some tried-and-true favorites up for grabs again this year sprinkled with unique and original creations from local artists.”

The gala is one of two major fundraising events for the PMH Foundtion. The proceeds are used to fund special projects, such medical equipment purchases, for the hospital.

Crittendon stated that foundation members have already identified a project that will benefit from the event as they approved the purchase of patient medical training simulators so that PMH staff is able to receive the proper clinical instruction.

The PMH Foundation Fall Gala will begin at 6 p.m. Those interested in attending or becoming sponsors may still do so by contacting Marselle Cooke at (760) 550-0200.