Pioneers Healthcare Foundation scholarship fundraiser a success

Roughly 200 people were on board Saturday night at the annual Pioneers Healthcare Foundation Gala dinner, held at the Fairfield Center in downtown Meeker. A much-appreciated spread of appetizers, dinner and desserts was offered. In addition to the dinner there was live music with the Matt Holliday Band, a silent auction, the Meeker Elementary School Marimba Band and casino play with craps, blackjack and Texas hold’em. The event raised funds for healthcare scholarships for Meeker area residents, including the following MHS seniors: Paige Dowker to CNCC for nursing; Tristin Pelloni, a Pioneers Healthcare Foundation scholarship for pre-med studies; Alexis Gutierrez, the Pioneers Medical Center employees’ scholarship in which funds are raised by hospital employees for another employee to help pay for additional studies; and Cyndi Moody, winner of the PMC Attributes of Care scholarship; and Kim Dodds, winner of the Westlands Scholarship for Continuing Education. Contributing to the meal were: Adam Buisker of Biscuits Catering for appetizers; Ben Rogers and Kelly Sheridan for the tri-tip roast; Bobby and Wendy Gutierrez for beef ribs, salads and vegetables; and Josh and Amy Halsted, Wendll’s and the hospital kitchen staff for desserts.

From top left, Carol and Rich Parr of Meeker were two of those who were playing blackjack Saturday night at the annual Pioneers Healthcare Foundation Gala at the Fairfield Center in downtown Meeker. The two players at the bottom of the photo are Stan and Patty Wyatt, while the couple at the far right is unidentified and the dealer at the far left and all the other dealers were brought in from Denver. Blackjack, Texas hold’em and craps were available.

The sole craps table was a busy place Saturday night at the annual Pioneers Healthcare Foundation Gala dinner at the Fairfield Center. The event was a fundraiser for healthcare scholarships. Gathered around the craps table are Jesse Beauldette, far right, of Hazelden Construction, the contractor for the new hospital, and Meekerites (from the right of Beaudette) Debbie Cook, Diane Dunham and Jim Cook. At far right is one of the craps dealers, who were all from Denver.

Roughly 200 people were on board Saturday night at the annual Pioneers Healthcare Foundation Gala dinner, held at the Fairfield Center in downtown Meeker. A much-appreciated spread of appetizers, dinner and desserts was offered. In addition to the dinner there was live music with the Matt Holliday Band, a silent auction, the Meeker Elementary School Marimba Band and casino play with craps, blackjack and Texas hold’em. The event raised funds for healthcare scholarships for Meeker area residents, including the following MHS seniors: Paige Dowker to CNCC for nursing; Tristin Pelloni, a Pioneers Healthcare Foundation scholarship for pre-med studies; Alexis Gutierrez, the Pioneers Medical Center employees’ scholarship in which funds are raised by hospital employees for another employee to help pay for additional studies; and Cyndi Moody, winner of the PMC Attributes of Care scholarship; and Kim Dodds, winner of the Westlands Scholarship for Continuing Education. Contributing to the meal were: Adam Buisker of Biscuits Catering for appetizers; Ben Rogers and Kelly Sheridan for the tri-tip roast; Bobby and Wendy Gutierrez for beef ribs, salads and vegetables; and Josh and Amy Halsted, Wendll’s and the hospital kitchen staff for desserts.

Above, several members of the Meeker Elementary School Marimba Band, under the direction of teacher Shana Holliday, provided some of the entertainment for the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation’s Gala dinner on Saturday night. The band played for about 20 minutes and mesmerized the audience.

Matt Holliday of Meeker, center, led his Matt Holiday Band on Saturday night at the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation Gala dinner and entertainment. The band started playing around 6 p.m. at the event to raise money for health-care-related college scholarships for students and hospital employees, and they continued to play until after the “casino” closed its doors, to allow for some late dancing.

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