Contributed GALA COMMITTEE — Members of Ohio Valley Health Center Gala committee include, from left, front, Betty Ferron, Deena Riley, Kim Sherrets, Mark Judy, Gina Judy, Stephanie Presutti and James Lash; back, Chris Orris, Alisa DelGuzzo, Beth Rupert-Warren, Susan Tarr, Shari Jo Watkins, Ann Quillen, Suzanne Brown, Cole Tegano, Emma Jenkins and Marci Crawford. Also working on the committee are Tara Mougianis, Jessica Kelley, Michelle Howard, Carolyn Glaub, Chris Hyland, Caroly Rosenlieb, Taylor Steeves, Jessica Elias, Rosann Trimmer, Nicole Virtue, Emily Byers, Reni Petrides and Celia Crosby. The gala will be held April 26 at the St. Florian Event Center.

STEUBENVILLE — Everyone who attends this year’s gala that supports the Ohio Valley Health Center will find themselves at a polished event that will offer a great evening while helping an outstanding cause.

None of it can happen, though, without the efforts of a volunteer committee that has been working for the past several months, putting together decorations and gathering gifts and donations that will become prizes in one of the mystery boxes or will become part of a package that will be part of the live auction.

“The whole gala committee is important,” said Ann Quillen, the center’s executive director. “There’s a group of about 30 people who collect mystery box items and auction packages, and they decorate for the event. The day before the gala, the whole clinic is lined with 500 mystery boxes — they’re lined up the hallways and everywhere else.”

Those items are important components to making the gala a successful fundraising effort.

Each year, the event generates about one-third of the revenue needed to allow the health center to continue its mission of providing quality health care to the underinsured and uninsured residents of the region. Last year, the health center provided free care with a value of $1,755,957.

The mystery boxes and auction play significant roles. Quillen explained that the goal is to be able to compile 500 mystery boxes, each of which contains a prize, that are sold for $20 during the gala. That generates $10,000, she said.

Participants in the live auction, she added, usually add between $12,000 and $16,000 to the total.

Items scheduled to be part of the live auction at the April 26 event at the St. Florian Event Center carry a combined value of more than $15,000. The list includes:

• A 1925 gold piece valued at $5,500. The 1925 $20 gold coin, referred to as a Double Eagle, is certified to be in mint state 63 and contains 1 ounce of gold. It was donated by gala chairs Mark and Gina Judy.

• Cooking Up a Storm package: A private cooking experience with Jeff Oechslein of WTOV-TV. The package includes cookware and kitchen essentials.

• Rich Donnelly In-Person Baseball Package: A two-hour private training session with the former Major League Baseball coach for high school players or adults, an autographed copy of his book “The Chicken Runs at Midnight” and Pirate tickets.

• Dinner with the Nandras: A three-course Punjabi meal from Northern India for 20 in the home of Dr. Charn and Surinder Nandra.

• Luxury Florida Getaway Package valued at $2,650: A seven-night stay at the Lexington Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla., which includes a golf package for two.

• Pastaio Chef’s Table Package valued at $750: Chef’s Table for six prepared by chef Giuseppe DiGristina.

• WTRF-TV Advertising Package valued at $2,500.

• “Reeds Mill” — Framed Dave Barnhouse Package: Includes a print framed by Nelson Fine Art and Gifts and an autographed book from Barnhouse.

• Men’s Ultimate Package

• Bold, Brave Brew Gourmet Coffee Package: A curated selection of gourmet coffees.

• Ultimate Kids Fun Package: A collection designed for imagination, creativity and endless play.

• Music Lovers Package: Two tickets to Neal McCoy’s performance at Dutton Ranch Night on June 6, presented by the Dutton Cattle Co. The Farm to Table BBQ and Concert experience features meat raised by the Dutton Cattle Co.

• Ohio State Game Day Package valued at $1,000: Two tickets to an Ohio State football game, plus memorabilia and an Ohio State blanket.

• Meteor Visuals — Tim Long Package

• Women’s Package

• Notre Dame Football Game Package

Other items will be added to some of the packages before the event, organizers said.

The theme of this year’s gala is “A Roaring 20 years of Hope, Health and Healing!” a nod to the center’s two decades of service. Attendees are encouraged to dress in attire from the 1920s.

Because it is marking a milestone anniversary, center officials decided they would recognize individuals and organizations that have given their time, resources and partnership for 20 years or more, Quillen explained. This year’s gala also will be the last for Quillen in her current role — she has announced that she will be retiring in June.

Chairs for the gala are the Judy family of Richmond — Mark; his wife Gina; and their daughters Kimberly Sherretts and Stephanie Presutti, longtime supporters of the health center.

The cocktail hour begins at 5 p.m. April 26. Tickets are $65 each. For information or to order tickets, visit ovhealthcenter.org.