FARMINGDALE – It’s that time of year! On February 9, OHI is hosting its 21st annual Valentine’s Day Fundraiser. And this time, the theme is Masquerade Ball.
Held at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, the event is set to be a swanky and glamorous affair, bedazzled in rhinestones and covered in glitter. All guests are expected to wear a unique mask to add to the ambiance and make the night truly special and unforgettable. Aside from the theme, patrons can expect all the usual tricks and treats: a sumptuous meal, hours of dancing, testing their luck at the casino, a silent auction and 50/50, and raffle prizes available to all.
At face value, events like this seem like just a big party we throw for our friends and family. But they actually serve a really important purpose. Ocean Health Initiatives works constantly in pursuit of its mission to provide the highest quality care to all of its patients, even if they can’t afford to pay a dime for their services. Many of our patients are comprised of the poorest and most vulnerable people in our community: low-income households, struggling families, veterans, migrants. Proceeds from fundraisers like our Valentine’s Day Event are critical to making this mission possible by giving our organization a bit more wiggle room to purchase new equipment and supplies, pay our employee’s salaries, and cover some overhead costs. Healthcare in the United States is very expensive – and when patients aren’t charged for the care they receive, someone has to make up for the balance on the ledger.
While we do receive funding from government agencies and grants, these alone are not enough to maintain our patients’ needs or expand into new communities and new services. Donations from our community not only bolster our financial situation but also show us the encouragement we need to keep going. In many ways, it is largely thanks to your unwavering support that OHI is able to thrive and keep our patients healthy.
If you’ve been enticed to purchase a ticket to this year’s event, they are still available! And even if you’re too busy that night, you can still donate to the cause by visiting our website, ohinj.square.site. We’d love to see you there!
