Over the past nine years, the “A Girl’s Night Out” event has continued to grow and expand, while providing entertainment, education and services to women in the community.
This year’s ninth-annual event, slated to be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, N.Y., is once again conducted by Olean General Hospital Foundation and Bradford Regional Medical Center Foundation of the Upper Allegheny Health System. Admission is $45 and will include a health fair and screenings, dinner and entertainment by actor and writer Kate Duffy, live and silent auctions for designer purses and chances to win gift items.
Steve Jackson, foundation president of Olean General, said this year’s event represents the first time that sponsors of the gathering and auctions will help raise funds for cancer care at Upper Allegheny, the parent organization of the two hospitals.
Also new to the event is Duffy, who will provide a presentation titled “Living More Purposefully.”
Jackson agreed that the event is exciting, “even more so because it has been nine years in the making.”
He said a committee for the celebration, which typically attracts 600 to 700 people, came up with a number of activities that are expected to motivate and inspire women of all ages.
As for Duffy, Jackson said she is “polished and does huge events, and small 101” sessions.
A Los Angeles-based actor, writer and coach, Duffy has starred in a number of independent features and television pilots and performs on Jimmy Kimmel Live. She is also a keynote speaker, facilitator, and storyteller. As a coach, she travels the world helping executives hone their leadership skills and also works with universities including Duke, Columbia University and UCLA in their MBA and executive education programs. She also believes strongly in “how we show up matters and no matter where we are in our career we have opportunity to grow.”
Jackson said something that hasn’t been mentioned is that Duffy will work with St. Bonaventure University’s school of business during her visit to the area.
“That really is through the generosity of Cutco” as the sponsor, he added, noting Duffy will conduct two sessions for students at the Swan Business Center on campus.
He said the health fair, which is offered to participants prior to dinner, will feature organizations and groups that include the Olean Medical Group, HomeCare & Hospice, ConnectLife, OGH Rehab Services, BRMC Community Outreach/Meals on Wheels, Total Senior Care, YMCA of the Twin Tiers, OGH Breast Imaging/Bone Density, The Pavilion at BRMC and Kaleida, among others.
In commenting on other activities of the evening, Jackson said a number of expensive, designer purses, including a Louis Vuitton, as well as purses by Coach, Michael Kors and Kate Spade will be auctioned.
Give-away items will also be provided with admission tickets and include chances to win a diamond pendant donated by Dr. David DiMarco, as well as a chance to win a limo ride for up to six donated by Empire Coach Lines. Each participant will also receive a 25-ounce Corkcicle container by Cutco.
“Also very new to this year will be a professional DJ and MC (Rich Cranston of Encore Entertainment) to get people a little more excited,” Jackson added.
For his part, Timothy Finan, president and CEO of Upper Allegany, BRMC and OGH, said, “This evening is made possible through the generosity of many sponsors who are committed to providing exceptional healthcare right here at home.
“All proceeds benefit local cancer care,” he concluded.
