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Courtesy photo Christian comedian will be the featured entertainer at this year's Florida Hospital Foundation Gala.

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published: Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Gala to be funny, fine affair

By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY

christopher.tuffley@newssun.com

SEBRING -- It's time to circle Thursday, Nov. 5, in red on your calendar, and while you're at it, circle the next day in green.

That is because Florida Hospital Heartland Division's 15th Annual Gala is on Thursday night, and its accompanying golf tournament is Friday morning.

But that's not all. Circle Sunday, Nov. 8, in blue because that is the morning of the hospital's 5K run.

The race begins at 7:30 a.m., Michelle Delaney, the Gala chair said, so everyone can compete and still get to church on time.

These three events form the hospital's major fundraising effort of the year, with the proceeds coming back to the community. The funds will be divided between Sebring, Lake Placid and Wauchula and used to buy equipment, build needed facilities and offer community wellness programs.

This year posed a challenge for Gala organizers because the usual venue, South Florida Community College's auditorium, is being refurbished.

Instead the Gala will be held in the college gym. Social hour is 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Delaney warned that meant there would be room for only 64 tables, so tickets may sell out early.

In addition to a silent auction and meal catered by the Sandwich Depot of Avon Park, the evening's high point promises to be the entertainment provided by Christian comedian Mark Lowry, Delaney said.

"Your abs are going to get a good workout," she said, meaning from laughing.

Kim Schlosser is organizing the golf tournament for the seventh consecutive year.

The tournament will be held at the Sun 'N Lake courses, with a four-man scramble format.

Golfers will be given a polo shirt, ball cap and an iPod nano -- which can store 300 songs.

Registration is at 7:30 a.m. followed by breakfast. Play begins at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun formation. The field will be limited to 100 players per course, so everyone is expected to be done in four hours. Lunch will be served and raffles will be held afterwards. The actual drawings will have already be held by lunch time, with lists of the winners posted at each table, that way the distribution of the prizes can go quickly.

Judy Lee Brown is in charge of the silent auction. She said donations of items are very welcome. She is hoping the community will be as generous as it has been in the past. Already, she said, Sebring International Raceway has donated an extra special Race Week package, which includes access to the winner's circle.

For more information, to make reservations, or to donate items for the raffles and silent auction, call the foundation at 402-5525, or go to www.fhhd.org.