More Than 500 Turn Out for "Settings for St. Anthony's"

Over 500 people attended the ninth annual “Settings for St. Anthony’s,” an elegant fundraising affair, held on November 15 at Wright’s Furniture in Dieterich. 

This event showcased dinner tables decorated with seasonal themes, and trees adorned with festive holiday decorations.  New this year was a special event, “A Night Out at Wright’s,” which was held November 16 also at Wright’s Furniture.  Over 100 people attended this premiere event that included hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, raffle items, a silent auction and a live auction.  Between these two events that comprised “Settings for St. Anthony’s” this year, the Friends of St. Anthony’s raised $36,500 to benefit St. Anthony’s Mother/Baby Home Care Program.

This year, 42 tabletops and 11 trees were sponsored and designed by local individuals, organizations and businesses.  The People’s Choice Award went to “I’m Dreaming of a ‘Green’ Christmas,” sponsored by Johnson Funeral Home.  During the event, 17 table settings, 11 trees and several other items were either raffled or available for silent auction.

(ANNA JOHNSON {left} AND DAUGHTER MADDIE JOHNSON STAND BY THE TABLE THEY DESIGNED "I'M DREAMING OF A 'GREEN' CHRISTMAS", SPONSORED BY JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME.  "I'M DREAMING OF A 'GREEN' CHRISTMAS" WON THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD AT  THE 2012 "SETTINGS FOR ST. ANTHONY'S" AT WRIGHT'S FURNITURE IN DIETERICH)

“Settings for St. Anthony’s” is co-sponsored by the Friends of St. Anthony’s and Wright’s Furniture.  Platinum sponsors that helped make “Settings” possible included Agracel, Inc., Dr. Lawrence and Mrs. Jytte Leventhal, Dr. Ruben and Mrs. Emily Boyajian, Marshall Clinic Effingham, S.C., Midland States Bank, and Patterson Technology Center. 

This year’s event was organized by a committee comprised of Marilyn Boone, Stacey Brummer, Misty Campos, Mary Flach, Jessica Frohning, Carol Gapsis, Dawn Hoover, Jytte Leventhal, Deb Merkel, Shawna O’Dell, Myra Oltman, Tammy Probst, Nikki Trupiano, and Michael Wall.  Additional sub-committee members were Debbie Fonner, Amy Meinhart, Leslie Probst, Jenny Ruholl, Michelle Tingley, and Holly Traub.  Jessica Frohning also organized a separate sub-committee of herself, Helen Doedtman, Mary Flach, Kris Goeckner, Melinda Hull, Kimberly Ingram, Jodi Isley, Gena Jones, Jill Jones, and Kathy Willenborg who coordinated the food and refreshments for the event, including making flavored cheesecakes and caramels, among other hors d’oeuvres´ and desserts.   

Michael Wall, Executive Director of Fund Development, shared why he believes “Settings for St. Anthony’s” is such a popular event. 

“This is the time of year that everyone is getting in the holiday spirit and looking for creative ways to decorate, which ‘Settings’ offers everyone in a beautiful setting like Wright’s.  In addition, those who attend ‘Settings’ have the satisfaction of knowing they are helping area mothers and babies by raising funds for the Mother/Baby Program,” he said.  Wall also said that he is pleased with and appreciative of the response to “A Night Out at Wright’s.”  “Hats off to the committee members, donors, and participants, for their willingness to support this new event,” he shared.

The Mother/Baby Home Care Program is a complimentary extension of a mother’s hospital stay to help ease any concerns she may have once she has left the hospital. The program is offered free of charge to all mothers and babies who come to the hospital.  A registered nurse visits with the mother and her baby in their home shortly after they return home from the hospital.  Besides examining both the mother and baby, the nurse also answers questions that the new mother may have about caring for her baby.  

For more information about the Friends of St. Anthony’s or the St. Anthony’s Mother/Baby Home Care Program, visit the hospital web site at stanthonyshospital.org.