‘A NIGHT FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE’

Now in its third year, “A Night for Goodness’ Sake” gives local residents the opportunity to support the good work t Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center.

On March 9, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the home of state Rep. Gordon Dove, the hospital’s major fundraiser is being held. The evening will include food, music and a live and silent auction.

Last year’s event raised over $70,000, and this year’s goal is $100,000.

“This is our major, annual fund-raiser,” said Chabert Board vice president Lisa Schilling. “We’ve been replacing equipment in our radiology area for the last couple of years. Medical equipment is very expensive, so we are whittling away at our ‘wish list’ in that area.”

Each year, following the event, the medical center’s foundation reviews requests from all the hospital’s departments.

“Those requests are reviewed and a priority list is provided to the foundation board for final approval by the medical director and administrator,” she said.

Of the $70,000 raised last year, Schilling said only $1,000 remains. “And we’re already starting to get new requests.

Among the many vital items replaced with last year’s monies were a tracheal intubation fiberscope, complete with light source/slit lamp for the Emergency Department; a direct steam convection steamer to replace an 8-year-old model that was beyond repair for the Nutritional Services Department; a Medtronic LIFEPAK 12 biphasic defibrillator/monitor for the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU); a mobile blood pressure monitoring machine for the Ambulatory Care Unit; an automated blood pressure machine for the Telemetry Unit; and furniture for the front lobby and the third and fourth floor waiting rooms.

“The public has been very generous to us,” Schilling said, noting that the first year of “A Night for Goodness’ Sake,” over $48,000 was raised. “We’re aiming for $100,000 and hoping that we can make that because there are a lot of areas that are requesting equipment this year.”

Copeland’s Restaurant is providing the menu for the gala. Those attending will find a lot of popular dishes, and in observance of the Lenten season the menu will include a number of seafood choices.

A full-service bar will also be located on the grounds.

Billy Stark and Friends and the Yum Yums, a doctors’ band from Chabert, will provide musical entertainment for the evening.

This year also marks a number of “firsts” for the fund-raising event’s auction.

Local artist Jason Harper has created an original black and whit charcoal rendition of LJCMC. He will be at the event autographing prints; all proceeds will go to the hospital’s foundation.

Harper is also donating his artistic talents to the event, consenting to do a black and white charcoal of the highest bidder’s home or office.

And Black Star Ranch and Suard Companies is donating a quarter horse (male gelding) worth $4,000, plus two months free boarding.

“This is a ‘first’ for the Chabert Foundation’s annual event and, perhaps, a first for any event in the area,” Schilling said.

The artwork and quarter horse will be auctioned live. And of special note, the auctioneer for the event is Marty Chabert, son of the late Sen. Leonard J. Chabert.

Another first for this year’s event is a five-tier sponsorship. As Gumbo was heading to press, the top two tiers had been taken by local attorney Jerri Smitko and SLMA. The foundation started March with over $25,000 in pledges, Schilling said. “We’ve really had great response from the public with that,” she added.

“We’re already a quarter of the way toward our goal.”

And local individuals and businesses continue to donate items for the auction.

Besides the horse and art, this year’s auction includes a number of antiques, jewelry and original works by regional artists.

“So many factors go into making this event a success,” Schilling said. “We’ve been blessed for the last two years.

Because the event is held outdoors again, we’re also really hoping for good weather.”

The demand for services at Chabert has been tremendous in the wake of the 2005 hurricane season. When Katrina decimated the Charity system in New Orleans, Chabert has seen a tremendous rise in its patient load.

“We seeing more patients and we’re doing more procedures,” Schilling said.

“When that happens, equipment tends to break or things need to be fixed or they need replacing. That’s been a really big issue for us.”

Tickets for the fund-raising gala are $150 per couple, and can be purchased in advance that night or via mail. Checks should be made payable to the Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center Foundation, and can be mailed to LJCMC Foundation, c/o Agnes Chauvin, P.O. Drawer 4177, Houma, LA 70361.

The dressy casual event will be held at 5 Glen Oaks Dr.

“We are really excited and hoping the community comes out and support this year’s event,” Schilling said. “We’ve had so many generous donations. Now we’re hoping it all goes well and we have a beautiful night.”