Updated: 11/05/2009 10:52 AM KSTP.com | Print |  Email
By: Vineeta Sawkar

SAWKAR: Region's Hospital Wine Auction

One of the greatest things a television anchor gets to do is help organizations raise money. I absolutely love emceeing big fundraisers that help a good cause. This weekend I emceed the Region's Hospital Wine Auction which raised $500,000 for the Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center at the hospital. The event was sold out with 1,000 people. I especially enjoyed meeting Bethany Pearson and her family. Bethany was in a car accident four years ago. Her sister died in it but she survived with critical injuries and many people thought she wouldn't survive. She says the medical team at Region's saved her and she and her family are so grateful.

It is amazing the planning that goes into these galas. The Region's Hospital organization asked me last spring to emcee this event. There is so much work involved but it so overwhelming when you see the final result and all of the money that is raised.

This is the season for gala fundraisers because in a few weeks I will be emceeing the Children's Hospital Association gala at Crowne Plaza. That is another event that takes a year to plan and is a splendid evening for such an important cause.