Over 1,000 merry members of the community followed the sound of holiday music to the La Porte Civic Auditorium on Saturday night. For the 21st year, the Foundation in support of the IU Health La Porte Hospital successfully hosted Holiday at the Pops, providing guests with great music and an even greater cause to support.
Click here to see more photos!
For 37 years, the La Porte Hospital Foundation has supported health care and health lifestyles in its community. As the philanthropic arm of the hospital, the foundation hosts three main events each year. The Tour de La Porte raises money for cancer patients and a golf tournament is also hosted to raise funds for health care scholarships. Holiday at the Pops rounds out the year, benefiting the VNA services of the hospital.
IU Health La Porte VNA Services offers compassionate support within the comfort of one’s home, provided by highly trained individuals. Private duty and skilled home care allows individuals to recuperate at home or in an assisted living residence instead of a long hospital stay or nursing home. Through Hospice, VNA Services provides end-of-life care to individuals at home or in a nursing home. Nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Jasper, La Porte, Marshall, Porter, Pulaski, Starke, and St. Joseph counties.
As the VNA expanded to transitional care, the Foundation grew worried they would not be able to raise enough money. They leveled prices of the 62 tables on the ground level, with the closest tables costing $1,200.
“We were concerned that with the changed prices, we would not have success selling all the tables,” said Katrina Langford, Co-chair of the Foundation, said. “We ended up selling out the first day.”
Before opening the floor to the public, the Foundation had already raised about $52,000 from underwriting sponsors alone.
Performances of the evening were given by the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra led by Associate Conductor Chuck Steck and guest performers Cripple Creek, Matt Burden, Pete Collins, Jenny Hartson, Tim King, Mark & Laura Krentz, Dr. John Langford, and Dr. Bill Wolf.
“All the incredibly talented singers and instrument players donate their talent and time to our fundraiser,” said Maria Fruth, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the IU Health La Porte Hospital Foundation.
“We like there to be performers that have a connection to the hospital. For example, John, a Cripple Creek member, is an oculofacial plastic surgeon at the hospital,” said Langford. “Dr. Bill Wolf is an anesthesiologist at the hospital. We suggest to the orchestra to find those connections, but we also appreciate the local talent they bring in.”
“It’s a beautiful thing that we get to do for the community. We don’t get paid. We do this for no money because we love it and it really makes a difference,” said David Applegarth, member of Cripple Creek. The group, made up of Steve Eyrick, Mitch Marhanka, Lou Voelker, and John Langford as well, all live in the Door Village area of La Porte County. They made their start on the front porch of Marhanka’s house.
Attendees were asked to bring a children’s book or stuffed animal to be given to child patients at the hospital. A bake sale was also held to further raise funds for the VNA services.
“It’s just a really great way to kick off the holidays,” said guest Sherri Price.
Stacey Kellogg, Public Information Officer of IU Health La Porte Hospital summed up the evening perfectly by saying, “There are these seemingly fairy-tale ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ kinds of moments during the holidays that don’t quite seem possible in real life. A community, coming together to celebrate, twinkling lights and holiday décor, amazing local musicians entertaining hundreds of community members gathered for a greater cause – to help those in need. This is Holiday at the Pops – proof that these moments aren’t just made for TV. The sense of peace that blankets the room when a filled Civic Center stands to sing a-cappella Silent Night – it’s just breathtaking. The caliber of local musical talent right here at home is amazing. Holiday at the Pops definitely makes me proud to say I’m from La Porte County. I hope everyone experiences it at least once.”
The 2015 partners who help make this and many other Foundation events possible include Elite Corporate Sponsors: La Porte Radiology, Inc., The La Porte Savings Bank; Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute; Larson Danielson Construction Company; Mitch Feikes Builders; Newby Lewis Kaminski Jones; Wells Fargo; and Premier Corporate Sponsors: American Limb & Orthopedic Company of Valparaiso; Anesthesia Associates of La Porte; One Advantage, LLC; Qubit Networks LLC; TCB Manufacturing; and Vision Self Pay Revenue Recovery. Holiday at the Pops committee members and Foundation staff who guided the event this year are: Katrina Langford and Deb Varnak, co-chairs; Mary Ellen McCain, honorary chair; Maria Fruth; Jodi Bunce; Elizabeth Dekker; Marianne DePersio; Jackie Dermody; Sheryl Edwards; Helena Hamilton; Liz Kaminski; Terry Lawson; Stacey Leva, MD; Amy Newman; Joe Ortt; Lori Thordarson; Liz Sawaya; Cherie Fuller.