UNC Health Southeastern Foundation 30th Annual Gala Supports ED services
Guests of the A Night In Disguise UNC Health Southeastern Foundation Gala were greeted by, from left, William Davis, UNC Health Southeastern Board of Trustees Chair Katie Davis, Grantham, UNC Health Southeastern Foundation Board Chair Ron Roach, 2023 Foundation Gala Committee Chairs Terri and Tito Massol, Lee Ellington and UNC Health Southeastern President/CEO Chris Ellington.
The UNC Health Southeastern Foundation hosted its 30th annual gala February 24, raising over $232,000 to provide direct resources benefiting renovations and enhancements to the UNC Health Southeastern Emergency Department.
At the event, themed A Night In Disguise, 600 guests were asked to don festive masquerade masks to celebrate the milestone of 30 galas. Terri and Tito Massol led the 2023 Foundation Gala Committee in supporting the fundraising efforts, which included a mobile auction. They, along with UNC Health Southeastern President/CEO Chris Ellington, wife, Lee, and UNC Health Southeastern Board of Trustees Chair Katie Davis, husband, William, and UNC Health Southeastern Foundation Board Chair Ron Roach, were on hand to greet guests as they arrived at the Southeastern North Carolina Agricultural Center.
“John W. Gardner once said, ‘volunteering enhances our creativity, enlivens our communities, nurtures individual responsibility, and stirs life at the grassroots,’” said UNC Health Southeastern Foundation Executive Director Sissy Grantham. “This could not be truer for our Foundation volunteers. Serving with purpose, realizing year after year they are helping support our community’s health with and on a firm foundation. While we can't predict what is coming our way, support and donations help ensure our health care teams are prepared.”
Live entertainment was provided by Liquid Pleasure sponsored by Lumber River United Way. The Lounge Tent was sponsored by Campbell University. Heavy hors d'oeuvres were provided by Two Brothers Catering and UNC Health Southeastern Food and Nutritional Services. Beverages were graciously donated by Healy Wholesale Company and Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated. An array of specialty desserts were also provided by Cupcake & Confetti. Special event photography was provided by Vintage Soul Photography’s Stephanie Nance and Victoria Hunt.
"It has been our honor and privilege for 30 years to bring our community together through the gala to support the amazing work happening at UNC Health Southeastern,” said Grantham. “Thanks, and congratulations to the 2023 Gala Committee, talented gala and community volunteers, event sponsors, Billy Davis, Nursery South, and generous auction donors, for their part in making the gala venue as beautiful as ever and achieving a record setting financial goal to help transform emergency services for the community.”
The health system’s first gala, held in 1993, celebrated the 40th anniversary of Southeastern Regional Medical Center and raised $32,000 for health scholarship loans, Link-To-Life, and pediatrics, with an excited and determined gala committee. Now, 30 years and $2.7 million later, we are celebrating this momentous gala with reflection on where we’ve been and what’s ahead while continuing to make powerful strides toward strengthening the health of our community and assuring the tools and resources needed for UNC Health Southeastern are available.
Since 1993, the UNC Health Southeastern Foundation Gala has contributed approximately $2,732,000 to advance and promote UNC Health Southeastern and the services the organization provides. The UNC Health Southeastern Foundation Board of Trustees credits the gala’s long success to a supportive community, a talented gala committee, and devoted past gala chairs.
To learn more about the UNC Health Southeastern Foundation, click here.
