Garrett Regional Medical Center (GRMC) has announced the cancelation of the 2021 GRMC Foundation Gala. The event, which was scheduled for November 13th at Wisp Resort, has been canceled due to the ongoing health and safety concerns related to COVID-19.
“This is a tough decision for us. People are sick and tired of dealing with the pandemic and tired of being in isolation. This would have been a nice distraction from that. But, if anyone was thinking this wave of the pandemic wasn’t a real issue, I can tell them firsthand how families in our community were devastated by the loss of loved ones: my heart hurts for them. As a healthcare leader, I feel a personal responsibility to encourage the safety and health of the community by not having even a possibility of contributing to the continued spread of the COVID virus,” said Mark Boucot, President and CEO of Garrett Regional Medical Center. “Canceling the 2021 Gala is a preventative measure I feel we need to take to keep our region safe and to ensure that the health and wellbeing of our attendees, sponsors and staff are put above all else. Besides that, our hospital staff is overworked, tired and worn out. I feel like it would be indifferent of their sacrifices, if while they are tired and overworked, our hospital would be focused on putting on a celebratory gala.”
All proceeds from this year’s event were slated to go towards the hospital’s Regional Behavioral Health Center in order to address the ongoing impact of the COVID pandemic on mental health. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 4 in 10 American adults have reported increased symptoms of anxiety and/or depression since the pandemic began, up from 1 in 10 adults pre-pandemic. Findings also indicate increased depression and anxiety among teens and children.
Before the decision to cancel was made, many preparations and sponsorships for the bi-annual event were already in place. GRMC and the Foundation would like to thank the community sponsors who donated to the event before it’s cancelation, including Gary and Luanne Ruddell (Total Biz Fulfillment), First United Bank, M&T Bank, Dr. Willis and Robin McGill, Brookfield Energy, Bryan Chaney, Railey Realty, Beitzel Corporation/Pillar Innovations, Deep Creek Lions Club, Kevin & Nishita Henry, Oakland Oil & Propane, Golden Key Property Management, Betty Rouse & John Wilmot, Assured Partners, CBIZ Employee Benefits, First Peoples, and Welding Rod LLC.
GRMC would also like to recognize the dedicated Gala Planning Committee for the work they did in preparation of the event. Members include co-chairs Janis Bush and Joyce Flynn, Kathy Beachler, BJ Gallagher, Chrissy Mariucci, Dr. Willis and Robin McGill, Betty Rouse, Mary Alice Simpson, Julie Stuck, Jane Wildesen, and John Wilmot.
This year, the hospital teamed up with the Garrett County Arts Council for a special project in honor of the event. The gala’s theme, Masquerade on the Mountain, was to feature handmade masks created by local artists. Masks in a variety of themes were created by six local artists before the cancelation and will be available for sale at The Gallery Shop (108 S. Second Street, Oakland) and online at SEYMOURart.org.
“We want to thank the community for their support and understanding,” said Emily Tobin, Garrett Regional Medical Center’s Executive Director of the Foundation and Marketing. “This was not a decision we took lightly; the gala is the Foundation’s most important fundraising event, but we believe that the safety of our community comes first.”
Garrett Regional Medical Center has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 GRMC Foundation Gala due to the ongoing health and safety concerns related to COVID-19.
Before the decision to cancel was made, many preparations and sponsorships for the bi-annual event were already in place. GRMC and the Foundation would like to thank the community sponsors who donated to the event before it’s cancelation, including Gary and Linda Ruddell (Total Biz Fulfillment), First United Bank, M&T Bank, Dr. Willis and Robin McGill, Brookfield Energy, Bryan Chaney, Railey Realty, Beitzel Corporation/Pillar Innovations, Deep Creek Lions Club, Kevin & Nishita Henry, Oakland Oil & Propane, Golden Key Property Management, Betty Rouse & John Wilmot, Assured Partners, CBIZ Employee Benefits, First Peoples, and Welding Rod LLC.
GRMC would also like to recognize the dedicated Gala Planning Committee for the work they did in preparation of the event. Members include co-chairs Janis Bush and Joyce Flynn, Kathy Beachler, BJ Gallagher, Chrissy Mariucci, Dr. Willis and Robin McGill, Betty Rouse, Mary Alice Simpson, Julie Stuck, Jane Wildesen, and John Wilmot.
The next GRMC Foundation Gala will be held in November of 2023. For more information contact Emily Tobin, Foundation Executive Director, at 301-533-4178 or eltobin@gcmh.com.
