Heart and Soul Inaugural Gala Gears Up for Sell-Out Crowd

The Lake Oconee Boomers Team

The organizing committee of the St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital Inaugural Gala is gearing up for a sell-out crowd on Feb. 15 at the Ritz Carlton Lodge Reynolds Plantation.

“We have received such tremendous support from the community,” said Riezl Baker, a member of the hospital board who is chairing the event with her husband, Ted. “Tickets started selling immediately after we sent out the ‘save-the-date’ cards. It’s a testament to the generosity of our community members and their commitment to continuously improve our quality of life.”

“Flavor,” an eight-piece band from Atlanta, will provide the evening’s musical entertainment. There will be silent and live auctions and all proceeds will go to the Hospital Capital Campaign Fund to fully equip the nuclear medicine room, a minor procedure room and the third operating room.

The campaign was launched last year to raise $8 million and has reached 85% of its goal to date. The $45 million, state-of the-art hospital, which opened its doors in November, is already making a tremendous impact in the community. “We’ve seen an increase in business in the past two months, especially in our Emergency Department,” said Montez Carter, President of Good Samaritan Hospital. “We’ve also done several joint replacement surgeries.”

Carter noted that “the addition of a nuclear medicine room is very important, especially for cardiac patients. As we continue to reach our Campaign goal, nuclear medicine will become a reality at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital.”

“The hospital is the heart of the community, which is why we named our event the ‘Heart and Soul Gala’,” Baker said. “We are so grateful for the many companies and individuals who have stepped up to be sponsors of the event.”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available by calling Baker at 706-347-2625 or emailing rbaker@plantationcable.net.