Mercy Health Red Door Gala to return

LIMA — Mercy Health’s Red Door Gala will return at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Veterans Memorial Civic Center.

This year, the gala will feature its usual festivities, but this year, the event will include the Mercy Club Awardee Presentation.

“It is an evening where we celebrate the work of our team and fundraise for upcoming initiatives and this year, all proceeds will go toward behavioral health services,” President of the Mercy Health Foundation Sara Ambroza said. “What we’re trying to do is make sure that care is accessible for anyone dealing with mental illness, mental disorders and addiction services. Every dollar raised stays local to support our team as we renovate inpatient units and continue to make sure that there are a variety of therapy services available.”

In addition to the Mercy Club Awardee, the gala will also see a talk from a current patient at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center.

“They will talk about their care and coming through our doors and the journey to today,” Ambroza said. “That’s really the message, that we want to help as many people as we can. And by getting generous donations, we’re able to give back and support these services.”

The gala will also present the diversity club award and mission moments.

And there will be surprise entertainment performing for the night.

Previous acts at this event have included LeAnn Rimes, Mark Farner’s American Band and Deana Carter.

The most important thing, however, will be the meaning of the whole event.

“We’re just thankful for the support of those that are attending to see our vision for the future and what we’re trying to accomplish,” Ambroza said.

Tickets for the event are on sale through Wednesday by registering online at the Mercy Health Foundation’s website.

The Red Door Gala first started in 2018 to celebrate St. Rita’s 100-year anniversary. The eponymous red door will be opened at the end of the event to reveal the secret entertainer.

Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.