The 15th annual East Central Health Foundation Gala to be held at St. Mary's Cultural Centre Satur-day, October 23 will feature a retro theme. Partnering with the Yorkton-Melville Greek community, the theme of the event will reflect the inaugural, "A Gala Evening in Greece," announced event chairperson Diane Rusnak at a recent press press conference at The Health Foundation offices.
In setting the atmosphere for the event, the Greek Community will be in charge of the food and entertainment to ensure that all have the opportunity to enjoy the authenticity of a Greek evening, Rusnak says.
The title sponsor of the Gala, one of the main fundraisers of The Health Foundation, is Morris Industries again this year, Rusnak reports. Additionally the event also enjoys the support of many other sponsors from Yorkton and the surrounding area, she points out.
"Over the years the gala events have enabled the purchase of more than $300,000 of important medical equipment for the region's healthcare facilities, Rusnak announces. This year the proceeds of the Gala will buy new surgical equipment for the operating room, she says.
Some of the equipment will be a significant upgrade as some of the current equipment is aging. Some will be new pieces which aren't currently available here but which are being used in most of the cities now, elaborates Health Foun-da-tion Executive Dir-ector, Ross Fisher.
The new ligature device, for example, will enable a greater range of operation, he adds. "We'll be able to do more laparoscopic surgery with it, scarring will be less, recovery times will improve for all of our patients." Fisher details.
The Gala will open with a cocktail hour beginning at five o'clock. Mitch Hippsley will set up his studio to snap complimentary photos of guests at the event.
Sherring Gold Jewellers have once again donated a fine piece of jewellery for the silent auction. Bev Bielinski of All About Flowers will provide the table center pieces again this year, Rusnak adds.
This year the band Carnival will provide dance music for the Gala.
Manos Tsagouris, Pres-i-dent of the Yorkton-Melville Greek Commun-ity Association, the organization will work hard to ensure gala guests enjoy the traditional Greek fare.
The Greek community in the York-ton area is happy to once again participate in the event which supports a good cause. "We would be very pleased to see a lot of people there and have everybody happy with their evening." he closes.
"Our aim is to create an ambiance where when you walk into the hall, you're walking into a Greek taverna," adds John Stamatinos, treasurer of the Yorkton Melville Greek Com-munity. In addition to decorations to establish the atmosphere, there will be young people garbed in traditional Greek garb. A dance troupe will perform traditional folk dances. Tradi-tional Greek food will delight the palates of gala guests. "Instead of having perogies, we're going to have the Greek equivalent. I won't tell you what it is because we want to surprise you," Stamatinos teases.
Participants are encouraged to by their tickets early because of the heightened interest created by the partnering with the Greek Com-munity, says Rusnak. The Gala has sold out in the past. This year seating will be limited to 350 people.
Tickets, which go on sale this week, can be purchased in person at the Health Foundation Office, at 41 Betts Avenue, Yorkton, by telephone to 786-0506 or ordered from the Health Foundation website at: www.thehealthfoundation.ca.
