LA PLATA, Md. (Dec. 25, 2008)—On Saturday, February 21, 2009, the Civista Health Foundation will hold its 18th annual Mardi Gras Ball "Disco Inferno." Organizers say the event will take participants back to the 70's as they celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Civista Medical Center.
The Mardi Gras Ball is the Foundation's signature event and among Charles County's largest and most successful fundraisers with over 500 guests and collective revenues totaling $1.5 million from the past 17 years.
Organizers anticipate a sell out crowd who will enjoy a neon filled evening full of reminders of the best dance decade ever. People are encouraged to wear their favorite 70's disco attire. A high-energy 12-piece brass band, Highway Star, is already working on music sets designed to keep dancers boogying like Saturday Night Fever.
Proceeds from the 18th Annual Mardi Gras Ball will help fund renovations and technological enhancements to the Pharmacy Department at Civista. The expansion features an improved physical space, automated drug dispensing cabinets, enhanced technology and other patient-focused services.
Because hospital administrators made plans for the infrastructure of a pneumatic tube "super station" during the hospital's recent expansion, the pharmacy is preparing to function as a hub in the innovative delivery system to further ensure rapid transport of medications to caregivers at inpatient and ambulatory sites.
The Mardi Gras Ball relies heavily on corporate sponsorship. Current partners include: Presenting Sponsors ($10,000 or greater) Comcast and Southern Maryland Newspapers, Premier Sponsor ($5000 - $9999) Dr. Boris Naydich with Associates in Radiation Medicine, Benefactor Sponsors ($1000 - $2999) County First Bank, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and Wildes-Spirit Design and Printing and Underwriter Sponsor ($500 - $999) American Radiology Services, Inc.
Reservations are $125.00 per person through February 8 and increase to $150.00 per person after February 8 or until sold out.
The event is a public function, however advance reservations are required and walk-in guests cannot be accommodated.
The Mardi Gras Ball is organized, in part, by volunteer leadership. Chairing the event this year are Carole Lewis and Tracey Messick. Committee members include Bobbie Baldus, Becky Evans, Darlene Breck, Shirley Hancock, Mary Lilly, Pete Perry, Tina Raymond, Maria Salazar-Roof, Sherrie Sanders, Chuck Wineland, Sue Wineland and Gingie Winkler along with staff members Lara Castle, Susan Vogel and Kay Simpson.
Civista Health Foundation is a fundraising organization with a mission to enhance the hospital's financial resources so it may provide excellent health care services to all members of the community. The Foundation's grants to the Medical Center and its programs now total more than $5.6 million.
For information or to make reservations, call the Civista Health Foundation at 301-609-4132 or visit http://www.civista.org/ .