MMHF to pull out all the stops for ‘A Decade of Legacy’

Community members, supporters of Melissa Memorial Hospital and folks looking for a fun night on the town can start making their plans to put on the ritz for the Feb. 8, 2020, Legacy Event.

For those who haven’t been to the event in a while — or ever — organizers say that this is the one to attend. As the 10th annual Legacy Event, “A Decade of Legacy” is slated to be a massive celebration of the community and all it’s done to support the hospital over the years.

Each year, the Legacy Event serves as the primary fundraiser for the Melissa Memorial Hospital Foundation, which happens to be celebrating its 25th year in 2020. As usual, this Legacy Event will feature a social hour, dinner, live and silent auctions, and a dance at Phillips County Event Center. This year, there will also be a special toast to honor the last decade.

Traditionally, guests are invited to dress in black-tie attire or in costumes that correspond to the theme. In celebration of “A Decade of Legacy,” costumes related to any of the nine previous themes may be worn. Options certainly won’t be limited, as past themes include Mardi Gras, Western Splendor, Roaring ’20s, Run for the Roses, James Bond 007, Romance in Venice, Titanic Grandeur, Night on Broadway and Southern Charm.

It will be up to individual table sponsors to decide which theme their tables will use. Table sponsorships for eight or 10 tickets to the event, along with individual tickets, are now available for purchase. Other sponsorships, donations and auction items are also being accepted.

There’s a contribution level for everyone, MMHF executive director Nancy Colglazier said. This year, she hopes to see as many people as possible involved in the fundraising effort. Even if it’s just $10, every donation makes a difference, she emphasized. Last year’s event raised over $147,000. This year the goal is $150,000.

A portion of the funds raised at the annual event go toward MMHF operations and scholarships for students pursuing medical degrees each year. In addition, this year’s proceeds will also provide funds for a 3D mammography machine at MMH. It will be a new, top-of-the-line addition to the radiology department.

Some of the projects funded by past Legacy Events include the Grow Our Own Physician Fund, the endowment fund, MMH employee loan forgiveness program, a treadmill, a low-rise bed, community education, MMH expansion, an ambulance and the chemotherapy room.

For more information about tickets or donations, contact Colglazier at 970-580-2238, 970-854-2241, ext. 2048, or mmhfoundation@pctelcom.coop. Tickets can also be purchased from MMHF board members Paula Carper, Kay Harmon, Trampas Hutches, Harry Kinner, Tina Looka, Brady Ring, Jessie Ruiz Jr. and Tiffany Weber.

While event tickets are available now, raffle tickets will go on sale in November. As usual, the raffle will be for a vacation, and the winner will be drawn at the Legacy Event. The winning ticket holder will have their choice from four different vacation options: Paris Renaissance, Explore Key West, Ireland Adventure or Los Cabos All-Inclusive.