Oct 24, 2006

Residents have heart for Sequoia Foundation

Janet Duca Norton

Sequoia Hospital Foundation once again presented a pair of events to celebrate and benefit Sequoia Hospital. "Building With Our Hearts," the Oct. 14 ball at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, and the Sept. 24 Invitational Golf Tournament were sold-out successes. Combined event proceeds plus matching grants from the Sequoia Hospital District and Danforth Foundation raised at least $1.2 million for the hospital.

"The evening was beyond my expectations. We raised more money than ever before," gala chair Marie Zahn said. "I thank my committee members, foundation president JoAnn Kemist, and the Sharon Heights Country Club staff for making this event such a huge success."

At least 420 guests bid on silent and live auction items, purchased diamond martinis (in hopes of winning one of three diamond jewelry pieces), dined on a sumptuous supper in a gorgeous white tent and danced in the grand ballroom to the music of the Fundamentals.

Dr. Roger Winkle introduced the night's fundraising campaign saying, " I can't believe the turnout. Sequoia is a special place to work with its superior administration, patients and expert staff. The (cardiology department) electrophysiology suite's biplane imaging system will allow us to shoot forward to the future. Our robotic system ranks with top-rated Harvard and the Cleveland Clinic. The equipment tests and treats issues related to arrhythmia, meaning abnormal rhythms of the heart. This equipment makes atrial fibrillation ablations - a lifesaving procedure - a simplified and shortened treatment."

Using the "last man standing" auction format produced surprising results - the auction's goal was exceeded when Harmon Burns and Lorry Lokey made six-figure pledges. They also helped auctioneer Frank Bizzarro achieve his usual outstanding results with Lokey's purchase of a Thomas Fogarty Winery dinner and Burns' winning bid on a California Culinary Academy chef's dinner at Greg and JoAnn Kemist's home.

Applauding the "last man standing" auction were Edward Anderson, Jacob Philip, Chief of Staff Len Valentino, Sheriff Don Horsley and his wife Elaine, Sue Burns, Joanne Harrington, James and Dora Fergason, Paula Uccelli, Howard and Martha Girdlestone, and Redwood City Mayor Barbara Pierce and her husband Jerry.

Designed by Zahn and arranged by Carole Angel of Angel's Florist, the glitzy white-lighted heart-topiary centerpieces sparkled almost as much as the diamond jewelry from Geoffrey's Diamonds & Goldsmith of Redwood City. Jo Ann Kemist and Dr. Denise Brown busily sold the 100 chances to win. Mary Gardner won the diamond necklace and Jeff Barton won the diamond bracelet.

The evening saluted generations of care, and Honorary Chairman Emeritus Gloria Kennett led applause for the three recipients of the Dr. William Kennett Memorial Nursing Scholarship, who were Annie Araujo, Veronia Landfried and Amy Poullos.

It was a four-generation celebration for gala chair Zahn, whose 100-year-old father John La Barbera, daughter Lynne and her husband Robert Meyer, son Tim and his wife Terri Cookston, and granddaughter Lisa and her husband Shane Finnegan were all in attendance.