Bringing it all together: Gala setup begins

Justin Messner/Tribune Photos Volunteers begin the final stages of preparation for the 19th annual Mercy Health Center Gala by lying out flower decorations preparing seating arrangements, adjusting lighting and numerous other tasks.

Final preparations for the 19th annual Fort Scott Mercy Health Center Gala began Wednesday with numerous volunteers setting up for the event.

Among the preparations needed for Saturday's gala were seating arraignments, lighting, decor and the design of a new chandelier.

Breaking an 18-year tradition, this year's gala will not feature the 12 foot-by-9 foot chandelier built in 1992 by Lyn Dodson. The large lighting fixture was brought to the previous Wal-Mart facility, were the gala is to be held, and it was discovered that the chandelier was too large to fit through the buildings doors.

Dodson was however able to acquire a four-post arbor and tree sculpture which will act as a stand in for this year's event.

"When you've got lemons, you have to make lemonade." said Dodson. "And that is exactly what we are doing, making lemonade."

Despite the lighting set-back, Mercy Director of Marketing Carla Farmer, said she is happy with how the gala is shaping up. When asked how preparations were evolving she simply replied, "great."

"Just being inside and having a week to setup is wonderful," she said. "Usually we're outside watching the weather."

This year's gala will be raising funds for Mercy's soon to be expanded, Cancer Chemotherapy Care Center. Currently, a chemotherapy infusion center is available to patients five days a week through Mercy, however, the facilities for this treatment are small and cramped, according to Farmer. The new treatment center is slated to be about 300 percent larger.

"It is hard enough to get chemo treatments," said Becky Mann, a volunteer for the gala, "let alone traveling somewhere to receive them comfortably."

The gala, scheduled for Aug. 23, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., in the vacant Wal-Mart building, 2400 S. Main.

For more information call Farmer, Mercy Development Office, (620) 223-7026.