A projected 800 guests and hundreds of volunteers will enjoy TexasFest 2011. The gala's proceeds make it possible for Irving Healthcare Foundation (IHF) to raise funds for its five local beneficiaries: Baylor Medical Center at Irving, Our Children's House at Baylor - Irving, Irving Interfaith Clinic, Childhood Obesity Task Force, and the Irving Dental Center. The event includes the John Michael Montgomery concert, dinner, dancing, auctions, a wine pull and a casino. The goal is to raise more than $265,000.
Since 1980, TexasFest has netted more than $6 million to help keep Irving and patients who come to the city for their care healthy. This total is a significant part of the $32 million IHF has raised and granted since 1977.
The foundation supports many vital healthcare projects including Our Children's House at Baylor-Irving which specializes in childcare and multidisciplinary therapy services for children who have a variety of medical or developmental needs. OCHI received more than $380,000 in the last year in IHF grants. Also, the Irving Healthcare Foundation disbursed more than $400,000 last year for community outreach, new medical technology, and nursing education at Baylor Medical Center at Irving. Irving Interfaith Clinic, the city's only medical and dental clinic for needy residents, received more than $200,000 in support last year.
TexasFest 2011 Chairperson Amanda O'Neal of Metropolitan Anesthesia Consultants encourages folks to "put on your boots, jeans and-of course diamonds-and to come have fun. The ‘sparkle' of TexasFest 2011 will brighten efforts to create a healthier community throughout 2011 and beyond," O'Neal notes.
Sponsorships and in-kind donations are still needed as they work toward the mission of encouraging volunteerism and philanthropy to help restore and promote health in Irving. Individual reservations are $150 each (of which $75 is tax deductible) and may be purchased online at www.texasfest2011.org or contact Tawnia Wise at 972.579.4395 or tawnia.wise@baylorhealth.edu.