TGMC supporters take to ‘Rooftop’

The Foundation for Terrebonne General Medical Center is ready to party from the hospital’s rooftop to support the community’s wellness.

Tomorrow, atop the hospital’s parking garage, locals are invited to enjoy the Foundation’s second annual Rooftop Roundup, a casual mix of tunes from Kyle Domangue, Billy Stark and friends, barbecue from Big Mike’s in Houma and a raffle for a football signed by Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.

Tickets to the Roundup are $40 per person, and are available at the door. The event is set for 5:30-8 p.m.

“The Foundation wishes to invite our community to join in the festivities while supporting health and wellness in our community,” said Mike Fakier, chairman for the Foundation for TGMC. “Last year’s event proved to be the ultimate rooftop experience and we are now going to make it an annual event that is open to the public to enjoy.”

Approximately 250 people made it to the inaugural Rooftop Roundup, Foundation Coordinator Paul Labat said. “People were still talking about it days later,” he said.

Labat credits the food, the music and the birds-eye view of downtown Houma – and, hopefully a beautiful early fall evening.

This year, he’s hoping the numbers grow. “We’d like to see 300 people or more,” Labat said. “We’ll have plenty of room and plenty of food.”

The idea is a modification of a similar event held annually in New Orleans, Labat said. “Theirs is a black-tie affair with tickets selling at triple the price,” he said. “Ours is a little more casual, relaxed event with a western theme. And it’s a lot more affordable.”

If weather becomes a factor, the event will move inside, hospital spokeswoman Rhonda Alfred said.

The best feature of the event is that money is reinvested into TGMC’s outreach programs.

“The funds raised will stay in our community to provide support to those in need,” Fakier said.

Labat said the Foundation has been concentrating its effort on cardiovascular health, women’s health and the hospital’s natal intensive care unit.

“We would also like to do more with diabetes care given the prevalence of the disease in our area,” he said.

Alfred said Foundation fundraising has helped sponsor a number of screenings at local events. During an abdominal screening, she said the hospital screened more than 200 people in one day.

“We are seeing the impact of our community’s support,” she said. “We’re reading out to people and helping detect problems early in the process.”

Tickets are available at the TGMC Gift Shop or by calling Labat at (985) 873-4603. Tickets will also be sold at the door tomorrow night.