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For nearly 20 years, residents of the region have been willing to step up and support the Ohio Valley Health Center.
They will have another chance to do that on April 28.
That's when the center will hold its 18th-annual fundraising gala at the St. Florian Event Center in Wintersville. Money raised there will go a long way toward helping the center continue its mission of providing health care to the area's uninsured and underinsured residents.
The facility has seen many changes since it opened on March 13, 2006, at 701 N. Fourth St. in Steubenville. Issues with the roof on that building led the center to relocate to Trinity Medical Center East until it found a permanent home at its South Street location downtown. From that location, volunteers and staff members continue to provide medication, laboratory services, case management, food assistance and health screenings without expecting anything in return from patients.
Since its founding, according to longtime Executive Director Ann Quillen, the center has touched the lives of 4,000 individuals and has delivered more than 25,000 medical visits.
Rosann Trimmer, a longtime volunteer at the health center, and her husband, Rick, are serving as chairs of the event, which will carry the theme "And They're Off! The Race for Hope, Health and Healing." Among those recognized during the evening will be medical honorees Suzanne and Dr. Tom Brown, who just retired from his dental practice in Wintersville. Longtime supporters of the center, the Browns have served as co-chairs of the gala in the past and have been willing to help whenever asked.
The J.C. Williams and Esther Simmons charitable trusts will be recognized as community partners of the year. Grants from those organizations have helped to purchase equipment used at the center.
Chris Orris of Valley Hospice will be recognized as volunteer of the year for his help in annual fundraising efforts.
Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with a champagne hour, which will include horse racing-themed games and a bourbon tasting. Mystery boxes will be available for purchase. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the program. A video patient testimony from Shari Jo Watkins will be shared, and a live auction will close the night.
Tickets are $65 a person and can be obtained by contacting the center at (740) 283-2856 or visiting ovhealthcenter.org. The deadline is Friday.
The health center has proven its value to our area many times over since it first opened. To ensure it will be able to continue to fulfill its mission, it needs the continued support of area residents. By attending the gala, you will be giving yourself an enjoyable evening and, more important, helping to improve the lives of many members of the community.