Gala raises $44K for hospital district
NEWPORT — The cold and snow did little to deter this year's Festival of Trees attendees and raffle ticket seekers.
The newly revamped holiday event raised more than $44,000 for community and hospital programs. The day of festive celebration at Priest River Event Center brought the first holiday gala of the season to the evening event scene, along with traditional family activities during the day, Jenny Smith, public information office for Newport Hospital & Health Services, said.
Festival of Trees attendees decorated cookies, had their pictures taken with Santa, made holiday crafts and all took part of the tree viewing and donation raffle. The Dalkena Church Cantata provided holiday entertainment during the daytime event that sold tickets for nine raffle prize trees boasting over $17,000 in donated prizes and gift certificates.
2022 raffle tree winners were drawn on December 19th and included: Tammy Walker ("All Around Town" — Sponsored by Pend Oreille Valley area businesses); Rick Ross ("Ready for Anything" — Sponsored by Albeni Falls Building Supply, KCB Construction, Next Level Construction, Big Lake Excavation, Dbl T Excavation, Rob's Heating, and No Limits Construction); Twyla Martin ("Boho Pamper Yourself" — Sponsored by The Eclectic Heifers); Stacie Krampert ("Gourmet Grilling" — Sponsored by Keller Williams Realty); Shantel O'Neal ("Kalispel Christmas" — Sponsored by Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Kalispel Casino); Melody Potter "A Night on the Town" — Sponsored by Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Kalispel Casino); Cindy Winterton ("Coffee & Candy" — Sponsored by The Newport Miner); Stephanie Cash ("Family Game Night" — Sponsored by Super 1 Foods); Curtis Mullaley ("Classy Christmas" — Sponsored by Safeway).
The sold-out holiday gala welcomed attendees adorned in their holiday best. They enjoyed a prime rib feast prepared and served by Newport Community Hospital's Pine Street Café. Live music by acoustic performers Kicho Forrest and Bret Smith entertained guests during dinner before switching to DJ-inspired dance music for the rest of the party. The gala also showcased 15 exquisite mini trees donated for silent auction by the following NHHS departments: Rehabilitation Services; Diagnostic Imaging; Human Resources; Patient Financial Services; Emergency Department; River Mountain Village Advanced Care — Activities Department; Maintenance & Engineering Department; Administration — Merry-Ann Keane, CEO; Foundation — Lori Stratton; Pine Street Café; Health Information Management; Information Technology; and River Mountain Village Rebels.
Event sponsors included the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Kalispel Casino, Amerigroup, Molina Healthcare, Mountain West Bank, Pend Oreille Title & Escrow, Empire Health Foundation, Julianna Maree Photography, STCU, Super 1 Foods, Excess Disposal Service, Newport Dental and West Bonner Education Association.
NHHS Foundation's next event is the 2023 Iron Sommelier & Brewmaster Event on Feb. 25 at the Priest River Event Center. Tickets went on sale Jan. 6).
Information: newporthospitalandhealth.org