News
Annual Fling Gala to Celebrate 100 Years
March 13, 2023
The Fling Gala sponsored by the Fitzgibbon Hospital Foundation will be a special celebration this year as Fitzgibbon Hospital celebrates its 100th Anniversary. The gala will start at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 14 at Jackson’s Event Center.
“Fitzgibbon Hospital has been able to make a difference in the lives of so many of our friends, families and neighbors over the last 100 years. The only way we have been able to do that is through the generous support of our community,” said Andrea Barr, Foundation Director at Fitzgibbon Hospital. “Our hospital survives on the funds we generate from services we provide and our caring community who support us through The Fling, and through other areas of financial support like wills and trusts. We do not have a tax levy like many small community hospitals.”
Proceeds from this year’s Fling Gala will help insure that Fitzgibbon Hospital has the opportunity to weather the storms currently facing hospitals in rural settings. The event will provide numerous opportunities for people to tell their stories of how important Fitzgibbon Hospital is to them.
“We will have a plated dinner instead of a buffet, as in years past. Additionally, we will have our silent and live auctions. We are really excited for the new opportunities for this year’s silent auction.”
This year, silent auction items will be available online beginning Monday, April 10. The silent auction will close after dinner at the gala. Individuals can easily place their bids online through the week in a user-friendly interface and will be alerted when they have been outbid. Additionally, individuals can set a maximum bid amount for items they wish to win, and the system will automatically increase their bid as new bids are received up to their set dollar limit. “Buy-it-now” options for each item will still be available as well.
“The ability to enjoy dinner and bid from their phones was really popular last year so we are glad we can offer that again. People can enjoy the wonderful dinner that night and not have to worry about getting up and adding another bid to the item they want to win by writing on a piece of paper,” said Barr. “And anyone who needs help can receive it from a number of volunteers who will be available that evening, just in case someone may have some challenges with technology but still want to participate. All of the silent and live auction items will still be displayed that evening for people to peruse, but they won’t have to leave their seats every time they want to increase their bid.”
The dinner will be catered by Jackson’s Event Center and will include meal options of filet mignon, salmon or grilled portabella mushroom as the entrée. Attendees are asked to designate their meal choice at the time they respond.
The live auction will begin at 8:15 p.m. with locally donated packages and artwork.
“Auction packages are being finalized but one thing we are really excited about is a trip for 10 to Weston, MO. for a day of wine tasting and shopping. Transportation is included in that package,” said Barr.
Individuals will still have an opportunity to give through popular options like the Wine and Whiskey Grab and the annual Fund-a-Need, whose proceeds will also be designated to help Fitzgibbon Hospital’s next 100 years.
Tickets for the 2023 Fling Gala are $85 per person and include all food and drink for the evening. They can be purchased online at http://bidpal.net/thefling23.