Sometimes essential fundraising is done in style. On Saturday night, the Methodist Hospitals Foundation hosted their Mardi Gras Masquerade Gala at Merrillville’s Innsbrook Country Club, which was put on to benefit Methodist’s Northlake trauma program.
Click here to see more photos from the event!
The evening was fit for it’s grand description. Innsbrook was filled with glittering masks, lively decorations, a friendly atmosphere, and people who had smiles on their faces wherever you turned. There was also great food, an outstanding band, and a silent auction filled with prizes of all kinds. On it’s surface, the Masquerade was a grandiose party that will be remembered as a highlight of the year, but it was Methodist’s groundbreaking program that was the main focus of the night.
Alex Horvath, Vice President of the Methodist Hospitals Foundation, explained that the heart of the night is really the fundraising that is being done to help make the trauma program thrive.
“Tonight you can really characterize as ‘partying with a purpose.' The awareness is one thing tonight brings, but it makes it really clear how many resources are needed to keep a trauma program here in Northwest Indiana,” Horvath stated. “We really wanted to bring the community together to create an outreach of support and attention for this program. It’s so important for our region in so many ways.”
Without a doubt, Methodist’s Northlake campus is providing a service that is extremely vital. Northlake’s trauma program is the only one that is offered in Northwest Indiana. Since it’s start in September of last year, the hospital has already seen a change in dynamics of how the region deals with trauma. Before Methodist’s program started, it was either the offer of Chicago, Indianapolis or South Bend to deal with those cases. Now it has brought first-class, life saving care to our home front. Being able to have that kind of treatment in the region is what Trauma Medical Director, Dr. Reuben Rutland, sees as a crucial service.
“What we go for is better quality, better value, the most efficient and most cost valued service where healthcare is mandatory. We’re trying to bring that to our population here in Northwest Indiana because it can be so disruptive for families who have to travel those distances to get the care that their loved ones need,” Dr. Rutland explained. “This program is homing that service right here.”
When it comes to the night’s success for raising over $100,000 it was all due to the generous donors who are just as passionate about having the program in the region as much as the hospital’s staff are. Raymond Grady, Methodist’s new CEO who’s first day is officially on Monday, was glad to see the level of support and appreciation the foundation received.
“It’s always a good thing to see the community support the missions and objectives of the hospital, especially with something like trauma. With having that service, it sends a message to the people about the level of quality and care that they can expect to receive in their community,” Grady stated. “The donations we’ve received tonight will really take everything to the next level.”
Aside from Methodist’s staff’s appreciation of the fundraising and support - their supporters had just as good of a time. By the time the presentations were over and the dance floor filled with people, it was obvious that the Mardi Gras Masquerade was a hit. Sharifa Townsend, one of two Princesses of the night and volunteer for the hospital, explained what everyone else had been thinking - that it was simply a great night.
“It’s so wonderful. The food is great, along with all of the activities it just makes the night an amazing time,” Townsend said. “I went last year too and I loved it just as much. I’m planning on coming back every year.”
The parties will continue for Methodist next year, and the year after, but its for certain that 2015’s Masquerade Gala was one that will leave an impact for years to come.