Sixteenth annual Bassett New Year's Eve Gala raises $237,000 for hospital's radiology and imaging needs

Date:January 12, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information Contact:

• Edward Mintiens
  (607) 547-3567
  edward.mintiens@bassett.org
• Diane L. Wells
  (607) 547-6354
  diane.wells@bassett.org

Cooperstown, N.Y. - The combined support of guests and corporate sponsors, auction bidders and committee volunteers helped create one of the most successful Galas in the fund-raiser’s 16-year history. "Carnaval Maravilhosa, A Mardi Gras Ball" the Friends of Bassett’s annual special event, brought in $237,000 to support Bassett’s radiology and imaging capital needs. The Gala Silent Auction and Pre-Gala Auction and Raffle contributed over $41,000 of the total proceeds. Once again, many auction bids were placed by non-attendees who used closed bid forms that were included in the auction booklet and were posted on the Friends’ Web site.

As Scott A. Barrett, executive director of the Friends, observed, "Since 1969, when a group of area residents formed the Friends of Bassett to support Bassett’s mission, it has received extraordinary charitable support from people across the region. The involvement of so many people, financially and creatively, in the Gala as well as other Friends’ special events, celebrates the community-focused care that the Bassett Healthcare Network stands for. I thank each and every person who contributed to the Gala’s success."

Corporate sponsors generously gave their support to the Friends’ premier fund-raising event. Lead sponsors were NYCM Insurance and SEFCU. Corporate sponsor was Apple Converting Inc. Supporting sponsors were Drogen Electric Supply/Drogen’s Home Furnishings, KPMG LLP, Len & Dot Marsh; The New York Susquehanna & Western Railway Corp. and Northern Eagle Beverages. Participating sponsors were BSA LifeStructures; Clark Companies (Scott & Betsy Clark); Cooperstown Dreams Park Inc. (Louis A. Presutti III); The Daily Star/Town Crier; Fenimore Asset Management Inc. & FAM Funds, Frazier’s Landscapes Inc.; Greener World Landscape Maintenance; McCarthy Building Companies Inc.; Tallman Enterprises Tree Service; Trosset Group Attorneys; Turnpike & Oneonta/Cooperstown Pennysavers; and Wilber National Bank Trust & Investment Center.

Gala co-chairs Cindy Seward and Sally Graumlich credited the efforts of members of the Gala Committee and Auctions Committee, volunteers who worked with the Friends’ fund development staff to create the sold-out event. The 2009 Gala Committee was composed of Mary Bonderoff, Theresa Casale, Leigh Connor, Colleen Donnelly, Marilyn Garman, Jill Ghaleb, Doris Hill, Joan Hutchings, Nancy Irvin, Dana Jakubowicz, Marcia Kozubek, Aletha Martinez, Amanda May, John McGlynn, Anne Myers, Elizabeth Parsons, Kay Pierro, Joan Leventhal, Dorothy Marsh, Polly Renckens, Joan Russo, Maureen Schuermann, Robert Snyder, Vera Talevi, Carol Waller, Kristin Waller-Donovan, Christine Weiss, Bruce Wilhelm and Brian Wrubleski. Serving on the 2009 Auctions Committee were Chairperson Gayle Smith, John Anagnost, Colleen Donnelly, Mary Dunkle, Penney Gentile, Nancy Irvin, Dana Jakubowicz, Lawrence Lewis, Alyssa McGoldrick, Margaret McGown, Nicole Retzler, Ellen Sanford, John Sanford, Robert Schneider, Gwen Schuster, Gwen-Ellen Snyder and Joan White.

Invaluable help was received from Riverwood gift shop, Glimmerglass Opera, Hyde Hall; Vitullo’s Formal Shop; Mrs. Cook-Wightman, art teacher, and Sacha Kollisch, student art teacher, at Cooperstown Elementary School; Bob Zaleski and the Bassett grounds crew; Ron DuBois and Bassett’s carpentry shop; the staff at Mohican Flowers; the staff at The Otesaga; and Bassett’s Fund Development staff.

"In addition to the Bassett New Year’s Eve Gala, the Friends of Bassett sponsors several special fund-raising events throughout the year," said Barrett. "Friends’ events are an opportunity for businesses, organizations, community members and Bassett staff to support Bassett’s regional health care mission while enjoying time with friends and colleagues."

Barrett encouraged regional businesses and individuals who wish to support health and wellness in central New York to become corporate sponsors of the 2010 Gala or one of several special events. Sponsorship benefits include media coverage, recognition in hospital publications and other grateful acknowledgments by the Friends. Connection with Bassett Healthcare and the Friends of Bassett provides a highly desirable and demographically appropriate visibility for central New York companies.

During 2010, special events organized by the Friends will include the thirteenth annual Bassett Invitational on June 1; President’s Forum Breakfasts on May 13, Aug. 27 and Nov. 12; The Cupola Society Recognition Luncheon on Sept. 29; and the Bassett Employees’ Breakfast Club on March 10.

For more information on how you or your company can sponsor one or more of these events, call the Friends of Bassett office: 607-47-3928, or log on to the Friends’ Web site: www.friendsofbassett.org for complete sponsorship benefits