All 600 of this year’s Gala attendees were invited to “Rethink” – fundraising, collaboration and how to party!

Proceeds for Saint Mary’s eleventh annual Gala benefit the ALS Center – Grand Rapids, a collaborative initiative among Saint Mary’s Health Care, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. The only one in West Michigan, the ALS Center serves patients who face the debilitating disease of ALS, or commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Kicking off this year’s celebration at the Steelcase Town Hall was the VIP Reception at 6 p.m., where several dozen donors listened to patient Ron Reoch share his gratitude for what the ALS Center provides for him and his family.

To officially begin the party at 7 p.m., guests were escorted down the walk, where they stopped to have their photos taken on the Red Carpet.

Chef Patrick Conrade and his culinary team presented the strolling gourmet reception, featuring the entrees Ancho and Espresso Rubbed Tenderloin of Beef, Boneless Breast of Chicken with Bermuda Onion Marmalade and Pan Sauce and Sweet Crab Stuffed Tilapia with Chive Hollandaise. Various vegetables du jour accompanied the main courses.

Skyline & The Back Street Horns played the hits all night, allowing Gala attendees to “Reinvent” themselves on the dance floor.

Guests enjoyed being “Refreshed” in an aromatherapy lounge hosted by The Wege Institute: Mind, Body and Spirit and sipped on the night’s signature Pop Rock-tail, a sophisticated combination of Apple Vodka and Midori Liqueur served in a watermelon pop rocks-rimmed glass.

Opening at 8:30, the Dessert Gallery featured premium coffee, and guests “Rediscovered” twists on old childhood dessert favorites, such as Uptown S’more Spoons and Gourmet Dark Chocolate Chambord Ding Dongs.

The Deluxe Raffle presented the possibility to win a large screen LCD television, Blu-Ray Player, a bottle of wine, deluxe packages from local spas and much more!

Special surprise! At 9 p.m., the lights shut off and the evening’s surprise entertainment, glow-stick dancers, lit the stage with their dance moves.

All throughout the night, Gala goers posted their photos and comments on Saint Mary’s Doran Foundation’s Facebook and Twitter Pages. Some of the comments were:

“This is the BEST Party EVER!”

“Enjoyed your event. I loved the sweet potato and apple dish as well as that yummy brownie!”

“Boom Boom Boom.... the glow stick dancers were excellent!”

Special thanks to all who attended, to our benefactors, underwriters and contributors, and to the Underwriting Committee.

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