Over $220,000 raised to support the hospital’s mission to provide high quality, community-based healthcare with compassion, dignity and respect and preserve the legacy of accessible healthcare for the next generation.

A crowd of nearly 500 hospital supporters danced the night away to the sounds of the Soul City Band at Lombardos last Saturday night, and it was all for a great cause.

By all accounts, this year’s BID-Milton Enchanted Evening Gala was a smashing success, having broken records for funds raised and attendance. The annual fundraising event, which has been traditionally held on a weeknight, was moved to a Saturday night this year and those in attendance responded to the change with great enthusiasm.

According to Peter Healy, President and Chief Executive Officer “The goals for the gala were to increase attendance, raise more money for the hospital, honor Anne Collins (2014 Charles C. Winchester Dedicated Community Service Honoree), and show our supporters a great time. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and hospital employees who worked tirelessly putting this event together, we greatly exceeded our expectations.”

As guests dined, Emcee Danielle Vollmar of WCVB introduced the hospital’s Chairman of the Board, Michael Brady, who addressed the crowd and commented on the continued success of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center affiliation, now in its third year, and the recent addition of renowned specialists in thoracic, colorectal and spine surgery, among other specialties, to BID-Milton and the community. He then presented Mrs. Anne Collins of Milton with the Charles C. Winchester Dedicated Community Service Award. And on behalf of Governor Deval Patrick, Mr. Brady presented Mrs. Collins with the Governor’s Citation recognizing the honor and her service to the hospital and community. Later in the evening, guests heard from Peter J. Healy, who joined the hospital as President and CEO in September 2013. In honor of Mother’s Day, he recognized the mothers in the room and commented, “Mothers, as a matter of fact, are some of my favorite people.  They are the determined and passionate protectors of health in their families and tend to be the healthcare decision makers for their families… so on a personal and professional note, thank you.” He went on to stress the importance of fundraising events to the mission of the hospital, as “$200,000 represents 10% of what the hospital makes all year from hospital operations.”

At the conclusion of the speaking program, the band took to the stage and guests danced the night away.