Gala support getting stronger
By GREG A. COLLINS Publicity Chairman

With the Gala only three weeks away donations are pouring in to raise money for Laird Memorial Hospital. Mike Joseph, owner of Daiches Jewelers, is donating two crystal vases for the silent auction to Sherry Miller (left) and Ricki Oubre, co-chairpersons for the silent auction committee. Joseph has donated items like this every year to raise money for the hosNews Herald Photo by Lester Murray

Think back to that first new car and remember the excitement of owning a new vehicle. Remember the smell of the interior, the first drive on the road home and the pride you felt as you pulled it into the garage for the first time?

Well, now picture Patterson Chevrolet running an ad that says you can own a new vehicle for $100. How fast would you be in your present car and headed that way?

This can all happen to some lucky Kilgoreite in just a matter of weeks.

There are 375 chances for someone to win a PT Cruiser, a pickup truck or $18,000 down on another new vehicle at Patterson Chevrolet in Kilgore, and all a person has to do for this opportunity is purchase a ticket for $100.

The proceeds will go to support the Laird Memorial Hospital Gala, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 28 at the National Guard Armory on Stone Road.

The event is attempting to raise over $100,000 for the purchase of a new fetal monitor for the Harold Habenicht Women's Center in Laird Hospital.

Roger Nunnelly, general manager of Patterson Chevrolet, and Darla Rutland, manager of Guaranty Bank in Kilgore, are the co-chairs who are attempting — with the help of others, of course to sell the 375 chances on the new vehicle.

The winner will be selected during the annual gala and it is possible that the lucky person could be attending the gala and really have a reason to dance the night away for a good cause.

Ticket sales are going briskly, according to Rutland, and she says people who want tickets may purchase them at Patterson, Guaranty or at Laird Hospital. "We have had the cars in several parades, had them at Wal-Mart, in front of the bank and at Patterson," she said. "These high profile locations have drawn a lot of interest from persons in the Kilgore area, so we are confident that all 375 tickets could possibly be sold before the night of the gala. But, if there are a few left over, they will be purchased that evening and the full compliment will be part of the selection process."

Rutland and Nunnelly have done an excellent job, according to Carol Hinton, marketing director of the hospital.

"These two agreed to take on a tough job," she said. "And, they are really working hard to make sure the car raffle is a huge success. We thank them for their efforts, and we wish a lot of luck to the people who are purchasing the tickets. Some lucky person is going to have a great vehicle to drive after that night."

Past winners said that it only takes one ticket to become a winner, and all were surprised at their selection.

Tom Sartor, still driving the truck he won two years ago at the gala, said he was surprised when his name was called.

"I had purchased a ticket and thought, maybe, in the back of my mind that I stood a chance," he said. "But, when my name was called it was a complete surprise."

Claud Wallace, another past winner, was also surprised when his name was called.

"You want to support the hospital and purchase a ticket, but you are never sure whether or not you really have a chance until it is your name that is called," he said.

Other local winners have been Dr. Bill Holda and Faye Massad, and Hinton is positive this year another local will be added to the list. "We are having a lot of local people purchase tickets this year," she said. "So, be sure to come to the gala and see who wins. It could be someone you work with, or go to church with or who is in the same club or organization as you are."

The cars will be on display until the night of the gala, so it is possible for someone to smell the interior of their own new vehicle, take that proud first drive, park it in the garage with excitement and get that new vehicle at Patterson for the low, low cost of $100.

Rutland, Nunnelly, Hinton, members of the Hospital Foundation and others have the tickets for sale between now and the drawing. Besides the fact that the winner gets a great new vehicle, that person can also support the hospital and make sure that all Kilgoreites have the opportunity for excellent medical care for years to come.