The deteriorating state of available health care in Morgan Hill
will cause partying in May. Some 250 well-heeled guests will revel
on Saturday, May 31, at a glittering fund-raising evening of
entertainment, dinner, dancing, auction and surprises.
The deteriorating state of available health care in Morgan Hill will cause partying in May. Some 250 well-heeled guests will revel on Saturday, May 31, at a glittering fund-raising evening of entertainment, dinner, dancing, auction and surprises. And the beneficiaries will be residents of the Morgan Hill area.
The City Council in 2002 reserved funds for the Morgan Hill Community Health Foundation to find physicians, laboratories and acute care facilities to fill the gap and bring them to town – an expensive proposition. Any city money spent, however, must be matched by funds raised by the foundation.
$75,000 remains in the city fund and the foundation has been unable to find a new source, so a group of volunteers, headed by Councilwoman Hedy Chang and Mayor Dennis Kennedy, decided to do something about it. At first the committee planned a day-long health fair on the community center grounds but was unable to find a way to raise $75,000 from a largely free event, so they decided to return to a tried-and-true method: throw a party, black-tie optional.
Based on the success of December’s “Mayor’s Ball” that opened the community and cultural center and proved that there are people in town who enjoy dressing up and partying with friends and strangers – the committee decided to go in that direction.
In order to make the event pay, earning $75,000 while covering expenses and charging less than a king’s ransom, the committee settled on 248 guests at $200 a piece. When the Hiram Morgan Hill Room at the community center proved to be too small for that number, CordeValle Country Club in San Martin was tapped and agreed to open its capacious doors and grounds for the cause.
As it did for the Mayor’s Ball, CordeValle kitchens will prepare special food for the “Evening of Dinner and Dancing.” Wines and champagne will be largely donated by wineries and committee members. Two bands will perform, ‘Italica’ playing from 5:30-8 p.m. and ‘Joe Sherino’ from 9 p.m.-midnight. Both play popular music from the 1950s and up-to-the-minute. Almost everyone involved is donating time, goods and services.
A continuous cycle of silent auction, raffle items and door prizes will go home with guests, each of whom will also take home a “goodie bag” of useful items and gift certificates.
The magic of the evening, according to Tom Divittorio who is in charge of entertainment, will be made real by magician Jason Barnes of Magic Hat, who will wander through the tables, performing dazzling and mysterious tricks.
According to Marilyn Liebrers, head volunteer and the person holding the reins, the high point of the evening will be an auction, offering a private day cruise and possible overnight stay at Lake Tahoe, a Puerto Vallarta luxury trip including air fare, a stay at Kirkwood, dinners at well-regarded restaurants, stained glass by internationally-known artist Wesley Hogan and several rounds of golf at CordeValle, Boulder Creek and Quail Lodge.
“More are coming in all the time,” said George Chiala, in charge of the big auction items.
Yarka Kennett (779-0235) is collecting smaller auction items from anyone in the community who would wish to contribute. Monetary donations will be put to good use and are tax deductible since the foundation is officially 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Committee members, having polled friends and acquaintances, are certain the tickets will go fast.
“Everybody is quite excited,” Chiala said. “It will be really nice and – no question – a sell-out.”
To donate money, auction or raffle items or to inquire about tickets for yourself, friends or business associates, contact Sharon Hamilton at sl*****@*******nk.net or 779-6337.
