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published: Sunday, September 09, 2012

Casting Crowns to perform at Gala

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING - Florida Hospital Heartland Division has announced the headlining entertaiment for this year's 18th annual Foundation Gala.

Christian rock band Casting Crowns will take the stage Thursday, Nov. 1 at the South Florida State College Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Casting Crowns is a chart-topping Christian act that has sold more than 8.2 million albums since breaking onto the scene eight years ago.

The Atlanta-based group composed of eight members - Mark, Megan, Hector, Juan, Melodee, Chris, Brian, Melanie - have accomplished huge accolades over the years.

Performances in more than 175 cities worldwide include two stops in Kuwait and Qatar, where the group performed for U.S. troops. In addition, the group made two stops in North Korea for a Global Research partnership performance.

Gala co-coordinators Jean Lund and Robin Scheck are thrilled about landing such a big name group that also shares the love of Christ and servanthood with its fans.

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Each year the Gala, a weekend-long event, constists of multiple events that bring together close to a thousand community members, businesses and organizations. Each part of the event provides funds for the development and benefit of Florida Hospitals in both Highlands and Hardee County.

"This year, pediatrics is the focus in Sebring," Lund said.

With numerous successful years under their belt, the Florida Foundation and FHHD are confident that this year's Gala will continue to provide funds for the development and growth of both Florida Hospital Heartland and Flordia Hospital Wachula.

"Our mission is an 18-month one ... we wanted to help raise $200,000 within the next 18 months and the Gala plays a huge role in that," Foundation Excecuive Director Jamie Bateman said Friday morning.

According to Bateman, the Gala has helped bring together a number of projects, including a $460,000 Heart Vascular center expansion at the Sebring location, an $80,000 lab renovation at the Wauchula Florida Hospital branch and a $185,000 operating room overhaul at the Lake Placid Florida Hospital location.

The weekend events will return this year with the silent auction and dinner both taking place at the SFSC gymnasium. The social hour and auction will begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Casting Crowns will take the stage at 8 p.m. in the theatre.
Friday, Nov. 2 brings the annual Gala Golf Tournament. Tournament chair and coordinator Kim Heintz of Highlands Independent Bank stated that the continual sellout tournament is a local favorite.

Heintz was tight-lipped, however, about the "super top-secret" prize for winners and participants. Heintz guaranteed, nonetheless, that the prize would definitley be worth the wait. The tournament will be held at the Sun 'N Lake Golf Course. She stated that both courses will be open for play during the tournament. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.

The Foundation Gala rounds out the weekend with the Jarrett-sponsored 5K Run/Walk.

"This year we have added a 10K, so if you want to really walk or run you can do that," Lisa Jarrett said.

The newly added addition to the event is sure to bring in numerous runners and athletes to the area to participate in the fun-filled day.

The first 300 registered participants will recieve a long-sleeved, dry-fit T-shirt and a goodie bag. Pre-registration is available until Oct. 15; Jarrett and Bateman are expecting close to 400 participants for the event. Registration forms may be found at www.fhheartland.org/ (just type "Gala" in the search engine box).

Bateman stated the importance of the Gala and what it means to the community and the hospitals in the area.

"Every penny raised goes right back into the community. Whoever donates money, and that means if your register for the 5K or the golf tournament, you decide where your money goes. Donors can choose which county, either Highlands or Hardee, and which hospital their money goes to and we will honor that," Bateman said.

Tables for the Gala dinner are nearly full with less than 20 out of 75 availiable as of Friday morning. Bateman expects nearly 700 will attend the dinner, auction and concert on Nov. 1.

For more information, tickets, forms or to donate contact Florida Hospital's Foundation Office at 402-5369 or visit the Florida Hospital website at www.fhheartland.org/.