Treasure Island event raises nearly $40K towards IV pump replacement at hospital

Provided photos: From left, Lynne Johnson, chair of the Orleans County Legislature, enjoys the evening at Treasure Island with fellow members of the Lyndonville Lions Club – Bruce Schmidt, Lynne Williams, Russell Martino and Laura Belson.

Dr. Richard Elman, director of Orleans Community Health’s Emergency Department and honorary chair of Treasure Island, welcomes the crowd to the annual fundraiser Saturday night at Shelby Fire Hall.

SHELBY – Orleans Community Health has announced its annual Treasure Island, held Saturday night at Shelby Fire Hall, was a resounding success, with a profit of more than $40,000.

Nearly 175 guests attended the gala to support Orleans Community Health’s campaign to replace its IV pumps.

A highlight of the evening was a speech from the event’s honorary chairman, Dr. Richard Elman, director of OCH’s Emergency Department. Elman addressed the community as a whole, saying, “Thank you for joining us tonight and supporting the IV Pump Replacement Campaign. It is an important need in our community. We are working to replace 60 pumps throughout Orleans Community Health, impacting more than 5,000 patients a year. These pumps are used to distribute medications and fluids in our two dialysis locations, the emergency room, the operating and recovery rooms, in radiology, in our long-term care unit and on our patient care floors.”

Dr. Elman was selected as honorary chair by the Treasure Island Steering Committee for his dedication to Orleans Community Health, his patients and the community, according to Megan Johnson, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, which sponsors the event.

The evening included a buffet dinner catered by Zambistro, a live auction, an online silent auction for attendees and at-home bidders, a Lucky Cork wine pull, a reverse cash raffle and a spin-to-win game. Executive director Megan Johnson, DJ Eli Howard and guest auctioneer John Boardway kept everyone up-to-date throughout the evening on how the bidding was going.

There was an assortment of more than 140 gift baskets and certificates donated by the community, hospital departments and area businesses. Some featured items were a trip to Myrtle Beach, overnight stay at local and regional hotels. Dinner gift certificates, memberships to are golf courses, a Lake Ontario fishing charter, coach purses, an assortment of furniture and an Alaskan Frontier trip.

The Treasure Island committee extends its thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, participants and donors.

“It is because of your generosity that this event was a success, and we are grateful for your continued dedication to the services we provide here at Orleans Community Health,” Johnson said.

She added a special thank-you to Shelby Fire Company for donating the hall, John and Darlene Boardway for donating their auctioneering services, Howard for his DJ services and to all their corporate sponsors, which included Independent Health, Junior Wilson Sportsman Club, Lawley Insurance, Niagara Veterinary Properties, OCH medical staff and Takeform.

Johnson said they have about $40,000 yet to raise to reach their goal of $150,000.

Megan Johnson, left, new director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation, and former director and event committee member Heather Smith track the evening’s proceeds during Treasure Island. A near-record $40,000 was raised toward replacing the hospital’s IV pumps.