Gala 2026 - Record Breaking Night for Emergency Care

On January 16, Helena showed up in a big way for Gala 2026, rallying behind our Ambulance and Emergency Department teams and helping us break every previous attendance and fundraising record.

The evening was packed with energy and generosity from start to finish. Premier Gala Sponsors and Board members, Suzi and Jim Stanger, inspired 75 additional sponsors through their generous $50,000 Premier Sponsorship. Even before the ballroom doors opened, Gala sponsorships, individual reservations and cash donations reached $322,500.

Momentum continued to build throughout the night. The silent and live auctions brought spirited bidding and raised tens of thousands more. Our Emergency Room physicians, Lewis and Clark Emergency Physicians, stepped up with a generous $50,000 matching gift that energized the room and inspired giving during the Live Drive. The match was met and then exceeded, resulting in $152,495 raised to support our emergency teams and creating one of the most exciting moments of the evening. The wine pull, raffle and other event night fun kept the celebration going strong.

Katrina Johnson, Eaton Turner Jewelry and Rachael Heberly, Gala 2026 Co-Chair

One of the most exciting moments of the evening was also the drawing of our Ring Raffle winner. This year’s one of a kind ring, valued at $8,200, was custom designed and handcrafted in platinum by Master Jeweler Corey Johnson of Eaton Turner Jewelry. The stunning piece features a 1.50 cttw princess cut Yogo sapphire accented by 0.40 cttw natural diamonds. Only 100 tickets were sold at $100 each and they sold out.

Cindy originally purchased one ticket, then decided to go back for another. As she shared, “When you buy a raffle ticket, you’re donating to a wonderful cause. Plus, I love the beautiful work of Corey and Katrina.” That second ticket turned out to be the winner.

Thank you to Corey and Katrina Johnson for their continued generosity and craftsmanship, and congratulations to Cindy on her beautiful new ring.

Lewis and Clark Emergency Physicians- Tiffany Kniepkamp, MD; Jared Phelps, DO; Andy Coil, DO; Adam Plate, MD; Kelly Dewey, DO

At Gala 2026, the Lewis and Clark Emergency Physicians made an extraordinary impact by pledging a $50,000 1:1 match for the Live Drive. Lewis and Clark Emergency Physicians P.C. provide critical emergency medical services at the St. Peter’s Health Emergency Department, a 15 bed facility offering 24/7 care for acute illness and injury, including medical screening, urgent procedures, and stabilization. The group of board-certified physicians and experienced physician assistants deliver high quality, patient centered care when it matters most.

Their dedication to compassionate care is reflected in the experiences of families they serve. Recently, one parent shared how Dr. Coil turned a frightening moment into a reassuring one when her toddler was brought to the Emergency Department after swallowing a magnet. What could have been a long, stressful visit was instead calm and efficient. Dr. Coil eased the child’s fear by chatting about her shoes and playing along in a way that put her at ease. By the time the visit was over, the whole family felt cared for and the daughter even said she wanted to see the doctor again.

This heartfelt story is just one example of how Lewis and Clark Emergency Physicians combine expertise with kindness for patients and families across our community.

By the end of the night, Gala 2026 had raised a record breaking $578,600, surpassing last year’s total. It was a joyful, high-energy celebration filled with laughter, generosity and community pride.

Proceeds will fund a new ambulance and critical equipment for our emergency teams, who respond to more than 7,300 ambulance calls and care for over 26,000 patients each year.

Thank you to everyone who made it a success. We’ll see you on Saturday, January 30 next year!