Spectrum Health United Memorial Foundation Hosts Many Hearts, One Mission Charity Ball

February 12th event marks ninth year; raises funds for emergency department

The 9th annual Many Hearts One Mission Charity Ball, a benefit for Spectrum Health United Hospital, will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids. Presented by the Spectrum Health United Memorial Foundation Board of Directors and Honorary Co- Chairs Dr. Randall & Barbara Carpenter, this year’s event will raise funds to support the Spectrum Health United Hospital Emergency Department in Greenville.

The mission of the Charity Ball is to financially support the continuation, strengthening, and enhancement of critical services Spectrum Health United Hospital provides to patients and their families in our community. “We are always delighted when we can make an impact on the health of people in our communities. This event will support critical new technology in the Emergency Department to help make that happen,” said Rocky Hansen, OD, Chairman of the Spectrum Health United Memorial Foundation.

To provide additional fundraising opportunities and entertainment to the event, the Charity Ball Committee has planned a silent and live auction with over 50 extraordinary items up for bid. New this year, the auction packages are available for bidding on-line. Visit the Foundation website, www.spectrum-health.org/foundation and click on the Charity Ball 2011 Auction Packages link.

Through the efforts of the Ball Subcommittee, comprised of volunteers who worked together to obtain the auction items for this event, a large array of exceptional items and unique services will be featured. “People were very generous to make donations and we have some marvelous items, services and experiences that will help to make this a spectacular event for the Spectrum Health United Memorial Foundation,” said Barb Christensen, Auction Committee Chairperson.

The Ball is one of Spectrum Health United Memorial Foundation’s main fund-raising events. The black tie evening will open with cocktails and a silent auction beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by the program and dinner. A live auction will take place during dessert and attendees can dance the evening away to the music of one of West Michigan’s favorite bands, “Trilogy.”

During the program, Dr. Roger L. Coles will be honored personally by Fred & Lena Meijer with the Fred & Lena Meijer Spirit of Caring Award. The award is presented annually at the Ball to an individual who has demonstrated a remarkable and dedicated commitment to improving the quality of life for people in our community…now and for future generations. Dr. Coles will be recognized for his spirit of selfless community support and participation, just as the Meijer’s have exemplified for decades.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the Ball. Tickets are $125 and opportunities for sponsorships and advertising space in the Program and Memory Book are still available. For additional information about the Ball, contact the Foundation Office at 616-225-6328.

About Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, nine hospitals and more than 170 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups with more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health’s 16,700 employees, 1,500 medical staff members and 2,350 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care. The organization provided $115.9 million in community benefit during its 2010 fiscal year. In 2010, Spectrum Health was named a Top 10 Health System by Thomson Reuters.