CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation postpones gala

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation has postponed its annual fundraising gala until next year, the organization announced Feb. 22.

The Foundation stated, "After a prayerful discernment process, the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation and CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System leadership has decided to postpone its annual fundraising gala until next year.

"While numbers currently show COVID-hospitalizations and cases are on the downward trend, the collaborative decision was made among the foundation board and hospital leadership during a time when public health was at risk among a case surge.

"Furthermore, an event of this magnitude takes most of a calendar year to plan. Due to the nature of uncertainty during this ongoing pandemic, the necessity of allocating resources in a strict and timely manner made planning the gala to the highest standards and expectations a challenge."

“We feel this decision is in the best interest of everyone involved in order to ensure we can deliver the caliber of event participants and donors deserve from CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System and our foundation,” said Teri Hawthorne, Executive Director of the Foundation.

The Foundation is already making preparations for next year’s gala, scheduled to take place in April of 2023.

“At CHRISTUS, we always strive for excellence,” said Paul Trevino, President and CEO of CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System. “The foundation board and all hospital leadership carefully considered all components and moving parts that make this important annual fundraising effort a success before making this decision. We feel the best way to continue acting responsibly is to postpone.”

While the gala has been postponed, the Foundation is not done with fundraising efforts for the 2022 year. The Foundation would like to remind the community donations and contributions can be made anytime of year, not only during the gala season.

“Our priority is putting the community’s generous donations back into our facilities and services,” said Roy Steinhagen, Foundation Board Member. “That never stops, no matter the circumstances. We appreciate all of our donors and future donors for their generosity in helping us continue to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ in our community.”

The CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation is the fundraising arm of CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas, which includes three local hospitals and numerous clinics. The Foundation pledges that 100% of your contribution will be used to fulfill your philanthropic intent. As a donor, you may select from among a variety of areas, including endowments, capital projects, and honor and memorial gifts. In addition, you can restrict your gift to any of CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation’s broad range of inpatient and outpatient services, including specific pieces of hospital equipment or hospital community programs designed to promote public health.