DCHF Kentucky Derby Fundraiser a success

Daviess Community Hospital Foundation hosted their 9^th annual Kentucky Derby Fundraiser on May 4 benefitting the hospital’s emergency department renovation project. The event raised $13,300 and attracted 124 people.

“This was our fourth consecutive year using the Ed Lee North Chapel in Washington as our venue,” stated DCH Foundation Director Angie Steiner. “It is a perfect location with ample space to mingle, dine and dance. Our sincere thanks to Andy Arvin for donating this beautiful space to us for the event.”

Steiner also noted that there were many activities to keep the guests occupied including bourbon tasting, wine tasting, chances for a lady’s ring, and an online auction.

Women were encouraged to wear hats or fascinators similar to those worn at the Kentucky Derby. Men were also encouraged to wear a hat or tie that reflected the theme. Lisa Walker of Washington won a prize for Best Hat/Fascinator while Dr. Ethan Oates of Evansville won Best Tie/Ensemble.

Winner of the 10-carat blue topaz and diamond necklace was Sharon Mead of Washington.

The event also included a live stream of the 150^th Kentucky Derby, welcome by Steiner, and a presentation by DCH Chief Financial Officer April Settles.

Settles thanked everyone involved in planning the event and those who attended noting that the event is a fundraiser for the hospital’s emergency department renovation, which, together with the construction of the new acute care unit at the hospital, totals $8.8 million.

“Our beautiful acute care unit opened this past December and has remained busy with strong patient volumes,” Settles said. “The first phase of the emergency department project will be finished in mid-summer.

“I can promise you that your contributions will enable us to continue touching the lives and improving the health of our patients and the communities we serve.”

Steiner agreed.

“The DCH Foundation has been very supportive of numerous hospital projects over the past several years and has raised more than $1.5 million for projects such as 3D mammography, The Lohano Center for Advanced Medicine, perinatal navigator program, health career scholarships, the Bedford Road Beautification Project and much more," Steiner said. "The acute care and emergency department renovation campaign is, by far, the most ambitious project for the Foundation as we hope to raise $400,000 in the next six months to help offset the cost to the hospital.

“The Daviess Community Hospital Foundation has made a commitment to help provide support to the hospital renovation,” stated Steiner. “I am thrilled to share that the funds raised this year through our Kentucky Derby Fundraiser will be added to the $640,000 already donated in since January 2023. Donations are still being accepted as we know that the need is greater than what has been raised thus far.”

The DCH Foundation wishes to recognize Home Building Savings Bank, Lohano Medical Associates, Old National Bank, McCracken Curve, and Farbest Foods who were sponsors of the event this year.

Next year’s event will again be held on the first Saturday in May to coincide with the Kentucky Derby. For more information on the DCH Foundation efforts, please contact Steiner at (812) 254-8858 or asteiner@dchosp.org.

Photos from the event can be found here: https://www.dchosp.org/~/photo-gallery/2024-dchf-kentucky-derby-fundraiser/