WVU Medicine Children’s Gala raises money for kids in the Eastern Panhandle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Guests attending the inaugural WVU Medicine Children’s Gala in the Eastern Panhandle experienced an evening of beauty and enchantment on a recent Saturday night at the Clarion Inn and Conference Center in Shepherdstown.

"Moonlight in Morocco" was the theme for the magical evening, which included colorful décor, gourmet dining, a silent/live auction, and dancing to music provided by The Move Makers. The 240 guests were generous in their sponsorships and bidding on silent and live auction items.  

“The evening was all about our kids and supporting the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Unit at Berkeley Medical Center,” Nikki Arvon, M.D., event co-chair said.  According to Dr. Arvon, enough money was raised to purchase a Giraffe shuttle for the NICU and a portable bedside monitor for pediatrics.  

“For an inaugural event, the community support was overwhelming,” John Beatty, event co-chair and senior vice president at the Bank of Charles Town, stated. He thanked dinner sponsor United Bank and United Wealth Management and entertainment sponsor WVU Medicine University Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors for their leadership level support.  
 
It was the kids of the Eastern Panhandle that benefited the most from the WVU Medicine Children’s Gala.  

“As we continue our integration of women’s and children’s services here in the Eastern Panhandle with WVU Medicine Children’s in Morgantown, events like these serve as ‘friend raisers 'and fundraisers for the kids in our region,” Anthony P. Zelenka, president and CEO of Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center, said. 

Officials at Berkeley Medical Center, Jefferson Medical Center, and the University Healthcare Foundation are looking forward to working with the development team at WVU Medicine Children’s in Morgantown to make the WVU Medicine Children’s Gala an annual event in the Eastern Panhandle.