Marriott to occupy hotel building
February 28, 2008
Troy Anthony Lirette
March 3, 2008GUMBO STAFF
Now in its fourth year, “A Night for Goodness’ Sake” gives local residents the opportunity to support the good work at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center.
On Friday, March 7, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Houma residence 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 more than $94,000, and this year’s goal is $150,000. Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase medical equipment for the hospital.
“This is our major fundraiser,” said Chabert Foundation board member Linda Ayers. “We’re servicing people from more than just the Tri-parish area. Since the 2005 storms, the whole southern part of Louisiana relies on Chabert for treatment.”
Each year, following the event, the medical center’s foundation reviews requests from all the hospital’s departments.
“The foundation is made up of about 25 people from the Tri-parishes,” Ayers said. “It’s a wide range of individuals who all share the same interest in seeing Chabert Medical Center continue to thrive and grow. That’s how we can actually help the hospital.”
Following 2007’s fundraiser, the Chabert Foundation purchased items such as a transport incubator for newborns, replacement of an eye lane in the ophthalmology clinic, a slit lamp for eye injuries in the emergency room, a video laryngoscope for anesthesia and an audiometer and tympoanometer for hearing screenings in the pediatric clinic. In all, $135,000 worth of equipment was purchased.
This year’s gala will also help the hospital continue to improve the quality of its services and provide needed support to meet the high standards required for accreditation for Chabert’s resident and medical student training programs, she said.
“The community has been so gracious to us over the years,” Ayers said. “This is our way of giving something back. The hospital provides exceptional care and is staffed with excellent doctors and nurses. This is our way of showing our gratitude for the work they do.”
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.
Over 100 items will be auctioned. Among them: a week’s stay in Hawaii in a two-bedroom condominium (airfare for two included), a fishing trip for four provided by Boudreaux’s Marina, LSU footballs, jerseys and other items. There’s also a three-night stay at a Grand Isle camp, sushi dinner for six prepared in your home by a costumed chef and a golf trip for four at Atchafalaya at Idlewild, the state’s newest Audubon golf trail.
Tickets for the gala are $150 per couple, and can be purchased the night of the event.
Attire for the gala is dressy casual.
“We are really excited and hoping the community comes out and support this year’s event,” Ayers said. “We’ve had so many generous donations. Now we’re looking forward to a beautiful night.”
