Over $1 Million Raised for Vision 2020 at the 22nd Annual Foundation Gala

Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) dazzled guests with its golden flair, glam and glitz Thursday night, March 12, at the 22nd Annual Foundation Gala, “Rhapsody in Gold,” presented by Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs. Most importantly, an unprecedented $1.1 million was raised for Loma Linda University Health’s Vision 2020 and the construction of a new Children’s Hospital tower. “Our community made history tonight at ‘Rhapsody in Gold,’” said Jillian Payne, executive director, LLUCH Foundation. “The outstanding support of our sponsors and guests will help Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital create a better tomorrow for our patients and their families.” This year’s sold-out event welcomed over 1,000 guests and garnered the highest number of sponsors — 83 individual and corporate — in the event’s 22-year history. In addition to the presenting sponsorship from Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs, McCarthy Building Companies, NBBJ and Jtec Healthcare Construction Management came together for the Shirley N. Pettis Award sponsorship. The three companies represent the campus transformation team responsible for the construction of the new Children’s Hospital tower, which is expected to break ground in spring 2016. Loma Linda University Medical Center CEO Kerry Heinrich also addressed guests during the evening, acknowledging that LLUCH is dedicated to providing the best of care to the children who need it. “Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital provides the latest research, the best facilities and the most compassionate whole person care in the region,” he said. A big surprise of the night was a last-minute donation of $250,000, brought in from the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild, which was the largest singular donation of the evening. Much of the funds raised came from the live auction portion of the evening. The big seller was a Bandon Dunes golf trip that included traveling by private jet to a two-night, 36-hole golf experience at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, which sold for $16,000 and was generously donated by David S. Layton. Other items garnering high bids were the Kenya Safari Experience, selling for $9,000, and a suite at Staples Center for a Clippers game, which sold for $7,500. In addition to the check presentation, the roaring twenties event, emceed by K-FROG’s Heather Froglear and NBC4’s Tony Shin, culminated with a glamorous chandelier aerialist performance and a confetti blast leaving guests full of positivity and anticipation, reflective of the promising future ahead for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and Vision 2020.