When one thinks of rolling the dice or placing a bet, they think
of Las Vegas, Atlantic City or even Salamanca, N.Y. For one night,
they can think of Bradford.
Viva Las Bradford is the theme of this year’s fund-raising event
sponsored by the Bradford Hospital Auxiliary. The event is set for
March 11 at the Grace Lutheran Church Community Life Center on
Mechanic Street.
“We usually try to come up with something different and
unusual,” said Virginia Digel Neel, executive director of the
auxiliary. “We’re known for that.”
In the past, the group has put on a Mardi Gras theme, Chinese
New Year and Chair-ity auctions to raise money. This time, Neel
said they are pulling out the “glitz and glam.”
The event will feature casino tables, bingo, Black Jack, Texas
Hold ’em, a dice game and Vegas-style hors d’oeuvres, Neel
said.
“It’s something people enjoy doing and it benefits a good
cause,” Neel said. And in March, “people are looking for something
to do.”
This year, officials are also gambling on a variety show to
bring in people.
“We wanted to showcase our own (Bradford Regional Medical
Center) talent so we’ve invited both employees and their family
members to do skits, Karaoke, play instruments, dance and share
other talents,” Neel said. “We think it’ll be a night everyone will
enjoy.”
Neel also noted they wanted to get the hospital employees and
their families more involved.
BRMC employee Lynne McCammon will anchor the entertainment.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the buffet available from 6 to
8:30 p.m.; gaming table and bingo from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; and the
BRMC Family Talent Show from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The Top of the Line
will cater the event.
The ticket price includes $5,000 in play money. The posters
originally said $50 would be provided in play money, but organizers
decided to up the ante. A cash bar will be provided.
All proceeds benefit the auxiliary’s $300,000 pledge to Bradford
Regional Medical Center’s $14.5 million building expansion and
renovation project. This pledge is the largest in the auxiliary’s
history.
“We’re proud to be part of the future of this facility and this
community and have made our largest pledge to date in any hospital
campaign,” Neel said, adding, “It’s a tall order, but we think we
can do it.”
Neel also said that the community has been “just awesome in
their support of us. We try to provide a fun, interesting
evening.”
The auxiliary will match any employee pledge, Neel said. If an
employee pledges $100, for instance, then he or she will be
recognized for contributing $200.
As for March 11, Neel hopes for 150 people to take part in the
evening.
One who is certain to be at the event is “Bib” the pink
flamingo, a mascot of sorts who is part of the flock people can
surprise unsuspecting friends with for their birthdays or
anniversaries.
“Bib” stands for Believe in Bradford. And with the Flamingo
hotel in Las Vegas, Bib is certain to fit right in with the crowd
that night, Neel said.
Reservations for the event are required and can be made by
calling the auxiliary office at BRMC. Reservations must be made by
March 8.
For details on BRMC’s building and expansion project, people may
log onto BRMC’s Web site.
Throughout the year, the auxiliary continues to raise money
through uniform sales, a book fair and the Sacks resale shop.
The event’s major sponsor is the Zippo/Case Visitors Center. An
anonymous donor also provided money in memory of Ray Anthony and
Margaret Reynolds.
Sponsorships, which help offset the cost of expenses for the
event, are still available.
