LLU Children’s Hospital to Hold 24th Annual Foundation Gala

The community is invited to support the 24th annual Foundation Gala, presented by Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs, McCarthy and MPS Mechanical Contractors, on Thursday, Feb. 16. Benefiting Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, the gala will feature live entertainment, food, inspiring stories and a live and silent auction. Funds raised during the evening's festivities will support Vision 2020 toward the construction of the new hospital tower. “This year’s ‘Storybook Gala’ is all about rewriting the landscape of health care,” said Joanna DeLeon, director, LLUCH Foundation. “Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital is here for one reason – the children. We want to create a happily ever after for every child we treat.” The event will take place from 5 – 9 p.m. at the Riverside Convention Center, 3637 5th Street. For the fourth time, K-Frog radio’s Heather Froglear will return to emcee the evening. She will get a helping hand from LLUCH patient Caden Henderson, 11, during the live auction portion of the evening. Live auction items included in this year’s event are a Country Music Awards VIP experience, an Ireland vacation package and a Bandon Dunes golf experience with a private jet. Entertainment will be provided by America’s Got Talent season seven finalist William Close and the Earth Harp Collective. The Earth Harp rests on the stage while the strings travel over the audience and attach to the roof of the venue, turning every space into an instrument. There will also be an original musical performance from Tad Worku, a pediatric nurse at LLUCH.