Foundation plans gala March 1 to benefit Orleans Community Health
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health, and OCH Foundation director Megan Johnson hold an invitation to the Foundation’s third annual gala, scheduled for March 1 at Bent’s Opera House.
MEDINA – The third annual gala to benefit Orleans Community Health Foundation will be a momentous occasion, celebrating the 100th year of the hospital in Medina.
The event March 1 will showcase generations who have worked at Medina Memorial Hospital and Orleans Community Health, said Megan Johnson, director of the OCH Foundation. It will also be the second year of presenting the George Bowen Award, named for the man who in the early 1900s saw a need in his community and started a hospital in a small house in Medina in September 1925.
The Bowen Award this year will honor two hospital supporters posthumously: Van Hungerford, a Medina native, entrepreneur and pillar of the community, and Dr. Ekran John Boulous, a dedicated supporter of the hospital.
Also honored will be Roland Howell of Medina, a longtime member of the hospital board back to the emergency room renovation in the early 1990s, and member of the Foundation Board for a number of years after that.
“He would come in at least once a month to get updates on the hospital,” said Scott Robinson, who is also great-great-grandson of George Bowen.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the gala, from 6 to 10 p.m., will feature signature drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres and music by Ken Ryan and the Professionals.
Theme for the evening is “The Roaring ’20s,” and attendees are encouraged to wear period attire.
“We hope to see many people in 1920s garb,” Johnson said.
Also, in keeping with the theme, a 1928 Marmon owned by a friend of hospital CEO Marc Shurtz will be parked at the door.
The gala was developed by Johnson after becoming foundation director several years ago.
“The idea for a gala with the caliber of ‘black tie’ had been kicked around for several years, but never materialized,” Johnson said. “I picked it up and ran with it, and it has been a tremendous success. We get a large attendance of Medina people and personnel from the surrounding area.”
She said they are trying to have events which appeal to people from all backgrounds and with all kinds of interests. They already sponsor a golf tournament and the Treasure Island raffle fundraiser, and for those who like to walk, they are planning “Walk a month in a nurses’ shoes” event.
“The average nurse walks more than 100 miles in a month,” Johnson said.
“We are trying to involve everyone in the community,” Robinson said. “We are hoping to have a jitterbug demo at the gala.”
He stressed all proceeds benefit the hospital.
Tickets for the gala are $150 and may be purchased online at www.orleanscommunityhealth.org/gala or by stopping in the Foundation office in the hospital lobby.
