Labette Health Foundation Gala a Huge Success

PARSONS, Kan., Oct. 27 –On October 24th two hundred attendees showed their commitment to the health of our community at Labette Health Foundation's fundraising gala, Destination Voyage.  The sold-out

Cruise-themed event was held in the new Medical Office Building and included entertainment, socializing and fabulous food.

Emcee of the evening was Parsons native and KSN Chief Meteorologist Gary Bandy.  Gary, along with Brian West, Foundation Board President and William Mahoney, Labette Health President/CEO, presided over an exciting agenda of fundraising opportunities which yielded the foundation a grand total of $ 113,563.00. 

Included in the evening was the announcement of the Health Care Heroes award recipients.  The Health Care Heroes competition, sponsored by Labette Health and The Parsons Sun awarded two recipients, one in each of the categories of Health Care Provider (Physician/Nurse/Non-Physician) and Professional Staff/Volunteer/Community Outreach.  Receiving the award in the Health Care Provider category was Dr. Ronald Finley, DDS.  The award recipient of the Professional Staff/Volunteer/Community Outreach division was Labette Community College Allied Health Care Programs. 

Event attendees also took part in a Patient Room Challenge as part of the evening’s festivities.  Sponsors and those attending the event were given the opportunity to have a room named after them for a $5000 donation, commemorated with a brass plaque on the wall outside the hospital room.  A special thank you to Commercial Bank for being the first to sponsor two patient rooms.  Also sponsoring rooms were Murray Company, Health Facilities Group, LaForge & Budd, the Beachner Family, the Babcock Family, The Labette Health Auxiliary, Norma Jean Seaton and KSN-TV. 

Brian West stated that this is the largest amount of money ever raised for a fundraiser at Labette Health and will contribute greatly to much needed medical necessities and room renovations.  Labette Health Foundation is dedicated to providing funding to support programs centered around the mission of Labette Health.

George Knox, above center, president of Labette Community College, accepted a Health Care Heroes award on behalf of the LCC Allied Health Programs from Brian West, president of the Labette Health Foundation, and "Captain" William Mahoney, Labette Health president and chief executive officer. Parsons dentist Dr. Ronald Finley, below, was honored as a Health Care Hero in the Provider category.