Bassett Valentine's Soiree Raises $160,000 to Support New Operating Room

More than 400 guests joined the Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network at the second Valentine's Soiree. The event raised $160,000 in support of the addition of a new state-of-the-art operating room at Bassett Medical Center that will enable talented surgical teams to accommodate more complex cases, perform new, minimally invasive procedures and give patients quicker recovery times. The live auction and raffles contributed more than $20,000 of the total proceeds. The Otesaga Hotel hosted the event, while DJ Sound FX provided entertainment throughout the night. New England Dueling Pianos took song requests from guests, sang, and played on their two grand pianos while audience members clapped and participated from the floor.

As Joshua Truman, executive director, Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network, observed, "We are very appreciative of the continued support from our sponsors for Bassett programs and initiatives. The proceeds of this year's event will help to move medicine forward through the addition of this new operating room. We thank our volunteers for their dedication and commitment. They made the Valentine's Soiree the success that it was."

The Friends extends a special thank-you to lead sponsor, SEFCU; corporate sponsors: Fidelis Care New York, G&T Farm LLC and NYCM Insurance; supporting sponsors: Brewery Ommegang, KPMG LLP, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., The Table Rock Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, The New York Susquehanna & Western Railway Corp., Preferred Mutual Insurance Co., and Thuillez, Ford, Gold, Butler & Monroe LLP; and participating sponsors: Bank of Cooperstown, Casella Waste Management of NY, Inc., Commercial Investigations LLC, Cooperstown Brewing Company, Cooperstown Dreams Park, DAVIN Informatics, EPIC Landscapes, Inc., Mirabito Energy Products, Northern Eagle Beverages, Inc., The Pike Company, and Rose & Kiernan, Inc.

Sheila LeMaster, special events and corporate sponsorships manager, credited the efforts of members of the soiree and auction committees, volunteers who worked tirelessly with the Friends' staff throughout the year. The 2018 soiree committee was led by co-chairs Robin Lopez and Michelle Zuba and included members Marilyn Garman, Andi Gulotta, Justine Johnson, Hannah Kinzelmann, Jen Kubis, Erika Prouty and Jean Stabinski. Leading the auction committee was chair Gayle Smith, along with Tina Camarda, Deb Dalton, Colleen Donnelly, Andi Gulotta, Ursula Hage, Wendy Kiuber, Robin Lopez, Melissa Manikas, Susan Stried, Monica Stringer and Michelle Zuba.

The Friends would also like to extend a special thank-you to Carol Waller and her staff at Mohican Flowers and to the staff at the Otesaga Resort & Hotel.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities or for inclusion in next year's invitation list, call Sheila LeMaster at the Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network office: 607-547-4799.