Gala at Oheka Castle Benefits Hospital
December 8, 2011 –

Supporters of Huntington Hospital will take over one of Huntington’s most glamorous addresses next Thursday to raise money for a new unit designed with comfort for patients and families in mind.

Their fifth annual black tie gala, scheduled for December 8, 2011, will bring “A Night On The Red Carpet” to Oheka Castle to support the hospital’s efforts to build a new inpatient unit near the Surgical Services pavilion.

“Paparazzi” will be taking your picture – we’re going to go with that whole red carpet theme,” said Theresa Jacobellis, director of public affairs for Huntington Hospital.  “The photos of guests will be displayed on video monitors all around the ballroom.”

Huntington Hospital’s gala will also salute Jim and Yvette Loughlin, a pair of Huntington residents who raised more than $110,000 in September for the construction of the inpatient unit through their annual Loughlin Charity Golf Open.

The 13-bed unit, which is to be built in shell space created when the hospital’s 72,000-square-foot Surgical Services pavilion was finished in 2004, will incorporate a patient-family care model that represents the future of health care at Huntington Hospital, Jacobellis said.  The ward will include private rooms with baths, showers and sleeping accommodations for family members.  It will also include other amenities being rolled out hospital-wide designed to reduce noise and modernize medical records management.

The $350-a-head event begins with a cocktail hour and “just for fun” casino at 7p.m., followed by dinner at 8.  Highlights of the evening include a live auction for one-of-a-kind items, including an original oil painting by impressionist Diane Monet appraised at $8,000 and a custom Le Vian Chocolatier collection pendant with a 2.0 carat total diamond weight in 18-karat strawberry gold courtesy of Libutti Jewelers.  A limited, 400-ticket raffle will also give anyone willing to lay down $100 a chance to win a two-year lease on a Jaquar XF, Volvo S60 or Range Rover Evoque.

Major sponsors of this year’s event include the Long Island Automotive Group, Huntington Hospital’s medical staff, Libutti Diamond Jewelers, Atlantic Auto Mall, Axis Construction Corp., Neurological Surgery, PC, and the Jorge family.

Jacobellis said the hospital’s volunteer gala committee has been working around the clock to make the event a big success.

“The event is really driven by that committee.  They’ve done a tremendous job of putting it together,” she said.

Tickets, sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are still available.  For additional information, including sponsorships, call 631- 470-5204 or visit joinus.hunthosp.org/netcommunity/gala.

Jim and Yvette Loughlin are being honored next Thursday at Huntington Hospital’s annual black-tie gala for their fundraising efforts through their annual charity golf tournament.