BAY MINETTE — North Baldwin Infirmary has been making strides in the community, adding services and technology to help keep residents from having to travel long distances for health services.

Aiding in the quest to be the best hospital it can be is the North Baldwin Infirmary Foundation, raising funds to help purchase equipment, renovate areas of the hospital and other projects that are aimed at making patients more comfortable and improving convenience for residents.

April 17 the Foundation will host its 15th Annual North Baldwin Infirmary Foundation Gala. The signature event will be at 6 p.m. at the John F. Rhodes Civic Center. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased by calling Dorothy White at (251) 580-1740.

"(The event) will start at 6 (p.m.) with a preview time to look at silent auction items. Hors d'oeurves will be served and there is an open bar. Then we'll have a seated dinner before the loud auction," Georgene Connor, gala chairwoman, said.

Just one example of auction items is a trip to Italy, Connor said.

 The gala is black-tie optional, though those not opting to go formal are encouraged to dress in elegant attire.

Entertainment will be provided by the Don Lewis Orchestra and dancing is encouraged, Connor said.

"This is a community-wide event. We've gotten a lot of support from the hospital, the hospital board, the employees - everyone has been so helpful," she said. "I've been so impressed with the community spirit. Everyone loves the hospital and we're so fortunate to have it. A lot of small communities don't have this kind of facility - and the Wellness Center, oh my goodness!"

In the past, funds raised by the gala have allowed the Foundation to redecorate the nursery and a palliative care suite.

"It's a special suite at the hospital for patients in the end-of-life stage," Charlette Murphy, marketing and public relations director for the hospital, said.

"Adjoining the patient room is a room for family members that includes a refrigerator, microwave, Internet, phone access and a place to sleep. In other words, it’s larger than a standard patient room with some of the amenities of home," she said.

This year's goal will assist the emergency room in its efficiency and convenience to patients, Connor said.

"Our big goal this year will go toward phase 1 of a new X-ray facility in the emergency room," she said. "It will help save lives and it will be more convenient for patients."

Connor said the entire project will cost around $400,000, which is a lofty goal, but she said anything the foundation can put toward it will help the hospital.

"Hopefully phase 1 will get that rolling," she said.

Connor said the event is filling up, with 35 tables already full. "The maximum number (of tables) is 40. We usually have about 38," she said. "The gala has been successful in the past and I think it will be this year."

Sponsorships are still available as well, including the title sponsorship, said Myron Brogden, gala sponsorship chairman.

"We have four sponsorship levels: Diamond, platinum, silver and gold," he said. "Diamond is $2,500, platinum is $1,500, silver is $750 and gold is $250."

In exchange for being a sponsor, the sponsor's name is included in the gala's program, though Brogden said for inclusion in the program, sponsors need to commit this week.

Brogden said this year's gala does not have a title sponsor to date. "The title sponsor gets their name on everything," he said. Title sponsorship is $4,000.

For more information, to sponsor or to donate to the auction, call White.