BID-Needham Gala
BIDMC Contact: M Pantridge
Phone: 781-453-3891
Email: mpantridge@bidneedham.org
The Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham annual gala held on Friday, Oct. 27, with the theme "A Night on Broadway" surpassed all records in terms of attendance, while reaching the event's fund raising goals. The evening hosted 400 area residents and earned over $275,000 to be used toward the hospital's planned South Wing expansion which will feature an enhanced Emergency Department. Held at the Newton Marriott Hotel, the evening featured live and silent auctions, dinner, song and dance.
Chairing the hospital's eighth annual gala were Needham residents Seth and Leslie Medalie. Speakers included BID-Needham Chairman of the Board of Trustees Jim Mahoney, and hospital president Jeff Liebman. Recently retired Needham internist Harry Bauer, M.D., and Joseph Barnes, recently retired principal of the Pollard Middle School, were the event's honorees.
As part of the night's proceeds a special Fund-a-Need appeal went out to the crowd to help the hospital purchase three new defibrillators. The enthusiastic attendees pledged $21,000 for the much needed medical devices which will be used in the Emergency room.
Highlights of the evening included guests being greeted with the songs of Oliver! performed by cast members of the Needham Community Theater as well as a show tune dance presentation by dancers from Paulette's Dance Theatre in Newton. Additionally, auctioneer Paul Zekos returned to rave reviews as he auctioned off such exciting items as a cruise to the Caribbean, a Broadway package to New York City complete with Jersey Boys tickets, front row seats to the Boston return of Wicked, evenings at the Four Seasons Hotel and Ritz Carlton Hotel in Boston, and a weekend getaway at an ocean front estate in Chatham -- to name just a few items. The well received Gala raffle offered lucky winners the opportunity to win $1,000 from the Needham Cooperative Bank, a charbroil gas grill from Lowes, and $250 certificate to Roche Brothers. After the Live Auction, the popular band Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish performed -- rounding out a perfect evening of festivities.
"This year's gala was truly a remarkable event. The outpouring of generosity from the local community has been phenomenal with hundreds of area residents, businesses and community leaders lending their time and energy toward the betterment of the hospital," explains Jeffrey H. Liebman, president and CEO of BID-Needham. "We surpassed our goals on every level. On behalf of the entire hospital I extend my sincerest thanks to the community for their unparalleled support of our institution."