South Lake Tahoe, CA…More than 250 community members gathered for the 29th Annual Barton Gala, held December 7, and pledged a record-breaking $90,000 to support community health in the Lake Tahoe area. This year’s Gala beneficiary was the Family Birthing Center at Barton Memorial Hospital, with proceeds from the black tie soiree funding medical equipment and training to keep at-risk newborns close to their families in those precious first moments together.

The Barton Foundation produces the Gala as part of its mission to inspire philanthropy for community health. The Foundation supports Barton Health’s direct investment in local, high-quality care as an independent, non-profit healthcare system.

“The Gala is a celebration of the exceptional care that is provided each and every day at Barton Health,” said Chris Kiser, Barton Foundation Executive Director. “It’s an important annual event that allows the Foundation to support Barton’s commitment to providing consistently exceptional care, and express gratitude to individuals in our community who advance the quality of our local healthcare through philanthropy.”

Barton’s Gala celebrates community giving with an annual Spirit of Philanthropy award. Glenbrook’s Mrs. Gwendolyn Walsh received the 2019 Spirit of Philanthropy award for her many years of service to the South Lake Tahoe community. Mrs. Walsh and her late husband, Edward, were recognized for their generosity over the last 20 years, including numerous donations that allowed for the purchase of advanced medical equipment for Barton Health’s Emergency Department and Cardiology Unit.

Coming up next in the Barton Foundation’s annual programming, Pink Heavenly will take over Heavenly Mountain Resort’s California Base Lodge on March 21, benefitting Cancer Support Services through Barton Health.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to the Barton Foundation, visit www.bartonhealth.org/foundation.