‘Treasure Island’ returns to Medina as big fundraiser for hospital
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The committee planning Orleans Community Health’s annual Treasure Island on Nov. 3 show some of the items which have been donated for the auction. From left are Dawn Meland, Cindy Hewitt, Tammy Pritchard, Teressa Taylor, Lori Condo and Foundation director Angela DiRosa.
MEDINA – This year’s Treasure Island Nov. 3 to benefit Orleans Community Health will mark a milestone for the event.
This will be the 25th year for the fundraiser, which was started in 1993 by the Association of Twigs. After several successful years, Medina Memorial Hospital Foundation took it over and continued to expand its features.
Orleans Community Health’s Foundation director Angela DiRosa holds one of the paintings which have been donated for the hospital’s annual Treasure Island.
Dawn Meland and Cindy Hewitt were both Twig members when the first one took place. They continue to be part of its planning today.
Treasure Island has had a theme during different years, and this year’s is “No Passport Required,” building on an around-the-world theme, Meland said.
“In the past, we’ve done a Masquerade theme and a gala,” she said.
The event didn’t take on the name Treasure Island until after the Muppets movie came out in 1996.
“We used Treasure Island for the theme that year, and it just stuck,” Meland said.
The event has taken place at several venues during recent years, but this year is moving back to Sacred Heart Club, after being at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Murray.
“We want to bring it back to Medina,” Hewitt said.
There will still be a silent and live auction, raffles and the popular Lucky Cork feature. Donna Eick will cater the food with her signature dishes – real comfort food with unique side dishes, Meland said.
Treasure Island continues to be the hospital Foundation’s premier fundraiser, said Foundation director Angela DiRosa.
The hundreds of prizes donated generate an average profit of $35,000, which is used for equipment updates and upgrades around the hospital.
Tammy Pritchard, who is secretary in CEO’s Mark Cye’s office, said he has a number of grants in the works and the money raised this year will supplement his projects, all of which will definitely benefit patients.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. Tickets include a meal and commemorative wine glass. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Orleans Community Health Foundation at foundation@medinamemorial.org, charityauction.bid/supportOCH or calling (585) 798-8061.
