Posted 9:30 pm Sunday, September 09, 2012
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Birthday Bash; Bethesda Clinic Celebrates
"Let them eat cake!” would be a good theme for the upcoming Bethesda Clinic Birthday Bash. The Birthday Bash set for Sept. 21 at Villa di Filicita marks the ninth anniversary for the Tyler clinic. One of the star attractions will be an action of cakes decorated by Tyler “celebrities.”
One cake conceals a very special surprise – a woman's Rolex watch donated by Susan Robinson jewelry. Not even the decorators know which cake holds the prize, promises Cake Decorator Chairman Kay Jones.
One cake conceals a very special surprise – a woman's Rolex watch donated by Susan Robinson jewelry. Not even the decorators know which cake holds the prize, promises Cake Decorator Chairman Kay Jones.
THE CAUSE
The Birthday Bash is a fundraiser for the clinic.
Located at 409 W. Ferguson St., Bethesda Clinic is a Christ-centered ministry that provides health and dental care for those who are employed but do not receive health insurance.
According to a history of the clinic, Bethesda was established in 1999 when The Rev. Dr. Michael Massar, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Tyler, received a call from a local physician who was interested in setting up a community clinic at the church.
Dr. Massar reached out to other clergy who were interested in establishing a multi-congregation, health ministry that could be based out of building adjacent to First Baptist Church.
A steering committee and board secured donations of furniture, lab equipment, supplies and money and Bethesda opened in 2003 with two doctors and four nurses. By the end of 2004, the clinic had logged nearly 4,800 patient visits.
Today the health services offered at Bethesda include cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, podiatry, orthopedics, psychology, dentistry, physical therapy, ophthalmology, endocrinology, rheumatology, pulmonary, neurology, nephrology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, EKG, diabetes, radiology and lab work.
At the end of last year, Bethesda Clinic had served more than 12,000 patients and completed more than 85,000 patient visits, according to information on its website.
Bethesda serves low-income working adults who live or work in Smith County and who have no health insurance, including Medicare or Medicaid. To qualify for care, patients must be between 16 and 64, work at least 20 hours per week. Patients pay a nominal fee based on their income level.
Located at 409 W. Ferguson St., Bethesda Clinic is a Christ-centered ministry that provides health and dental care for those who are employed but do not receive health insurance.
According to a history of the clinic, Bethesda was established in 1999 when The Rev. Dr. Michael Massar, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Tyler, received a call from a local physician who was interested in setting up a community clinic at the church.
Dr. Massar reached out to other clergy who were interested in establishing a multi-congregation, health ministry that could be based out of building adjacent to First Baptist Church.
A steering committee and board secured donations of furniture, lab equipment, supplies and money and Bethesda opened in 2003 with two doctors and four nurses. By the end of 2004, the clinic had logged nearly 4,800 patient visits.
Today the health services offered at Bethesda include cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, podiatry, orthopedics, psychology, dentistry, physical therapy, ophthalmology, endocrinology, rheumatology, pulmonary, neurology, nephrology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, EKG, diabetes, radiology and lab work.
At the end of last year, Bethesda Clinic had served more than 12,000 patients and completed more than 85,000 patient visits, according to information on its website.
Bethesda serves low-income working adults who live or work in Smith County and who have no health insurance, including Medicare or Medicaid. To qualify for care, patients must be between 16 and 64, work at least 20 hours per week. Patients pay a nominal fee based on their income level.
THE BASH
Mayor Barbara Bass will serve as mistress of ceremonies at the Bash beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Villa di Felicita, 7891 Texas Highway 110, located north of Loop 323.
Sheriff J.B. Smith will bring his typical level of energy and excitement to the Bash as the cake auctioneer, event organizers said. The cakes are being provided by FRESH by Brookshire's and are being decorated by Price Arredondo, Jeff Austin III, Dr. Sunni Boren, LaVerne Gollob, Dr. Shanna Meads, the Rev. Jerome Milton, Jim Perkins, the Rev. John Robbins and Dr. Sasha Vukelja.
Besides the cake auction, the Bash will include a silent auction, a chance to purchase party hats with gift certificates for dining at East Texas eateries, dinner and dancing, said Birthday Bash Chairman Ann Hossley.
“We are so grateful to our generous sponsors and celebrity cake decorators for helping create a wonderful evening for this celebration,” said Bethesda Director of Development Diane Thomason.
Organizers say they are thrilled with the items donated for the silent auction.
“We have a wonderful selection of unique items this year,” said Auction Chairman Gina Butler.
Up for bid will be a diamond and silver Thistle & Bee bracelet by Cole & Co., vacation packages, a race track adventure, boots, bags and works by area artists.
“Also, we've received fun items from Congressman Louie Gohmert, and (state) Sen. Kevin Eltife,” said Thomason.
Patrons also can purchase “party hats.” Each hat will contain a dining gift certificate valued at at least $50. One hat will contain a gift certificate for dinner for eight at ZaZa's Italian Restaurant courtesy of Chef Cedric Fletcher.
Music will be provided by Carolyn and Robert Cerbo, said Band Coordinator Doris Sharp.
Sheriff J.B. Smith will bring his typical level of energy and excitement to the Bash as the cake auctioneer, event organizers said. The cakes are being provided by FRESH by Brookshire's and are being decorated by Price Arredondo, Jeff Austin III, Dr. Sunni Boren, LaVerne Gollob, Dr. Shanna Meads, the Rev. Jerome Milton, Jim Perkins, the Rev. John Robbins and Dr. Sasha Vukelja.
Besides the cake auction, the Bash will include a silent auction, a chance to purchase party hats with gift certificates for dining at East Texas eateries, dinner and dancing, said Birthday Bash Chairman Ann Hossley.
“We are so grateful to our generous sponsors and celebrity cake decorators for helping create a wonderful evening for this celebration,” said Bethesda Director of Development Diane Thomason.
Organizers say they are thrilled with the items donated for the silent auction.
“We have a wonderful selection of unique items this year,” said Auction Chairman Gina Butler.
Up for bid will be a diamond and silver Thistle & Bee bracelet by Cole & Co., vacation packages, a race track adventure, boots, bags and works by area artists.
“Also, we've received fun items from Congressman Louie Gohmert, and (state) Sen. Kevin Eltife,” said Thomason.
Patrons also can purchase “party hats.” Each hat will contain a dining gift certificate valued at at least $50. One hat will contain a gift certificate for dinner for eight at ZaZa's Italian Restaurant courtesy of Chef Cedric Fletcher.
Music will be provided by Carolyn and Robert Cerbo, said Band Coordinator Doris Sharp.
TICKETS AND SPONSORS
Tickets cost $100 per person. A table for eight can be reserved for $1,000.
Major supporters are “Icing on the Cake” sponsors Sandra and Ed King of Chick-fil-A. “Pastry Chef” sponsors are Citizen's 1st Bank and Kay and Barry Jones. “Angel Food” sponsors are Austin Bank, Azalea Orthopedics, Bancorp South, Craig Harrison MD, Cathy and David Krafve and Kimberly and Chip Swinney DDS.
“Red Velvet” sponsors are Brick Street Pharmacy, Eye Care Associates of East Texas, Mac Moseley, and Mary John Spence. The “Cupcake” sponsors are Rita Adams, Brookshire's Grocery Company, Melvina and Herb Buie, Michelle and Jeff Carr, MD, Deborah Tittle and David Dobbs, EOG Resources, Terri and Rich Lottmann, Louis and Peaches Owen, Laurie Rossman, Judy and John Soules, John Soules Foods, Texas Spine & Joint Hospital and White-Shaver PC.
For more information or to order tickets, contact Hossley at 903-312-1723 or annhoss@aol.com; or Thomason at 903-521-6185 or dthomason@bethesdaclinic.org.
Major supporters are “Icing on the Cake” sponsors Sandra and Ed King of Chick-fil-A. “Pastry Chef” sponsors are Citizen's 1st Bank and Kay and Barry Jones. “Angel Food” sponsors are Austin Bank, Azalea Orthopedics, Bancorp South, Craig Harrison MD, Cathy and David Krafve and Kimberly and Chip Swinney DDS.
“Red Velvet” sponsors are Brick Street Pharmacy, Eye Care Associates of East Texas, Mac Moseley, and Mary John Spence. The “Cupcake” sponsors are Rita Adams, Brookshire's Grocery Company, Melvina and Herb Buie, Michelle and Jeff Carr, MD, Deborah Tittle and David Dobbs, EOG Resources, Terri and Rich Lottmann, Louis and Peaches Owen, Laurie Rossman, Judy and John Soules, John Soules Foods, Texas Spine & Joint Hospital and White-Shaver PC.
For more information or to order tickets, contact Hossley at 903-312-1723 or annhoss@aol.com; or Thomason at 903-521-6185 or dthomason@bethesdaclinic.org.
