Annual Mercy gala exceeds successes of previous years

Monday, August 28, 2006

Seventeen years ago, 280 people attended the Capture the Spirit Gala at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. Since then, the number of attendees has continued to grow. On Saturday, the annual hospital fund raiser reached a new attendance milestone, exceeding even that of last year's event, which set a 16-year attendance record.

An unprecedented number of guests showed up at the Mid-Continental Restoration Co., Inc. building for "Sundown at the Rockin' M Ranch," according to Mercy Gala Steering Committee Chair Ken Lunt.

The decision to move Mercy Health Center's annual fund raiser indoors was made on Thursday, due to the forecast of heavy rain in the area. Despite the move, the gala was still "a great time," TOPCO Laminates Vice President Larry Gazaway said. Nearly 690 reservations were made and, although there wasn't a precise count of those attending, gala committee members said the party was "wall to wall."

"With the move indoors and with the short time they had to do all that, I was really impressed with what they were able to do," Gazaway said.

Lunt said that moving the gala indoors, along with the record number of people, made for a slightly warm environment. He added, however, that the heat didn't stop the crowd from having a good time.

"First analysis from people is that they really enjoyed the music and the food," Lunt said. "Lots of people danced. The dance floor actually ended up not being big enough since there were so many people."

Gazaway, who portrayed the town sheriff during the gala pre-show, added he didn't think the heat bothered too many people.

"I would describe it as hot and wonderful," Gazaway said. "The people I talked to, yeah, they talked about the heat, but they still had a great time."

Also, despite the heat, many showed up in their best cowboy hats and boots, which went along with the event's western theme.

The amount of money raised at this year's event was not determined as of Monday, Lunt said. He said it could take a couple weeks before the exact amount is calculated. He added, though, that he's confident enough was raised to fund the new sports medicine outreach program.

"We'll be able to do what we plan on doing with the sports medicine program," Lunt said.

Lunt said he expects this year's total to be more than the $32,000 raised last year.

Mercy Marketing and Development Director Carla Bryant Farmer said, "Gross exceeded last year, due to the sheer number of people who attended. However, it will take two to three weeks to determine all of the expenses and come up with a number for the net proceeds."

Overland Park resident Tom Horner won the $1,000 travel voucher as part of the gala sub-fund raiser sponsored by TOPCO. Horner was a guest of Fort Scott residents Bob and Judy Marshall. Chances for the vacation voucher were obtained with the purchase of $10 shot glasses, each one bearing a number corresponding to a number on the fortune wheel that was spun to determine the winner. Kale Nelson, who along with his wife Kelly, chaired the sub-fund raiser committee, said all 268 shot glasses were sold in about two hours.

Farmer said this has been the second time that Mid-Continental Restoration President Frank Halsey has saved the day by providing an indoor gala site when wet weather was expected.

"We really owe Mid-Continental a big thank-you for that," she said, "and we do want to express our appreciation to the City of Fort Scott for arranging for the two shuttles and the (Fort Scott Area) Chamber of Commerce for arranging for the drivers."

Lunt said again that he was impressed, with how the gala turned out.

"It was an outstanding production," Lunt said. "It's unique in Southeast Kansas. It's probably the largest group that I know of that gets together like this. It's a reflection of the community and its people. It's just a really nice time."