Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 07/11/2009 10:57 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 07/18/2009 07:00 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Six Sierra Stars Will Be Dancing to Raise Funds for Mark Twain St. Josephs Hospital Foundation
Six Calaveras County residents who possess charm, style, grace, and fancy footwork, and are not shy about demonstrating it, will be the central figures of a major fundraiser put on by the Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation toward the purchase of a Digital Mammography unit. It is one of the foundation’s 25th Anniversary activities.....
Based on the very popular ABC Television program “Dancing With The Stars,” the event will be presented in three stages, selecting the contestants, training for the competition, and the dance finals during an exciting gala dinner at Ironstone Vineyards.
“Our goal is to put fun in fundraising and to raise money to bring us closer to providing our county with the state-of-the-art Digital Mammography equipment needed to detect potential breast cancer,” says event organizer Michal Houston. “We are amazed with the interest expressed by potential contestants even before this official announcement.”
The format of “Dancing With the Sierra Stars” begins with interested men and women over the age of 21 submitting applications that can be obtained by calling 754-2624. With the application forms will be the rules of the contest. On Sunday, August 2 applicants will take part in auditions held at 10:30 a.m. in the Music Room at Ironstone Vineyards. At the close of the day, three women and three men will be chosen finalists and will go on to the next stage.
Each finalist will be paired with a professional dance instructor who will help the dancer hone his or her skills and develop a routine for the final competition. During this fifteen-week period the competing dancers will draw on their other creative talents to secure votes from individuals, organizations, and businesses that sponsor them. They may do this in a variety of ways ranging from posters and mailings to the use of the Internet and hosting social gatherings. The object is to bank as many votes as possible at five dollars a vote. This will be a major portion of the fundraising.
On Saturday, November 14, the culminating gala will be held at Ironstone. There will be a 5:30 p.m. reception at which wine and other beverages will be available to purchase to complement an array of hors d'ouevres and other delicacies. This will be followed by the much anticipated dance contest.
Each contestant and his or her professional partner will do a three to four-minute routine. A panel of highly qualified judges will evaluate each couple. At the same time, members of the audience, in addition to cheering on their favorites, can purchase additional votes that will be added to those garnered by the finalists leading up to the gala.
While the votes are being tabulated, attendees will sit down to an exceptional dinner created by Executive Chef James Lehman. At the conclusion of dinner the Grand Prize winners will be announced and awards presented. People who have made significant contributions to the foundation during its 25-year history will also be recognized at this time.
And then, everyone will be invited to congratulate the participants, mingle with friends and neighbors, and dance to the musical offerings of disc jockey Sound Extreme.
Tickets to the gala are $125 each and may be purchased by calling 754-2624.
“With the excitement this fundraiser is already creating, we encourage people to buy gala tickets as soon as possible,” states Houston. “Experience tells us it is sure to sell out. People of Calaveras are not only generous supporters of good causes, they love a good party.”
She also stressed that the foundation is looking for major corporate sponsors that would like to have their names associated with this premiere Mother Lode event.
Last year the MTSJ Hospital Foundation announced the initiation of a $1 million fundraising campaign to support Mark Twain St. Joseph's Hospital's purchase of Digital Mammography equipment. With a major donation from Doris Barger, a foundation founder, and other initial large contributions the effort began with $500,000 in the bank. Since then, a variety of successful fundraisers have been held and the campaign is nearing the finish line.
“We are certain that all the good ideas and hard work being generated by Michal Houston and her committee will help us complete the task of providing our area with this much needed service,” says Peggy Lucas, foundation executive director. “This campaign is aligned with the hospital's initiatives to improve women's health care in Calaveras County.”
Studies have shown that digital (computerized) mammography is significantly better that film mammography. It allows improvement in image storage and transmission because images can be stored and sent electronically. It also requires shorter examination times that significantly improves patient comfort.
Digital mammography is similar to standard mammography in that x-rays are used to produce detailed images of the breast. The machine is equipped with a digital receptor and a computer instead of a film cassette.
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