Hospital nets record-breaking amount at fundraisers
By Gary S. Hatrick
Julianne Hough, two-time “Dancing with the Stars” winner, country singer and up-and-coming actress gave an energetic performance Thursday as the featured entertainment for the Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Foundation’s Gala XIV.
Despite having the stomach flu, the 22-year-old entertainer showed no signs of illness as she performed for the FHZ supporters gathered in the Grand Pavilion in Saddlebrook Resort. She later participated in a brief meet and greet and posed for a photograph with select VIPs.
Gala XIV was the biggest in the event’s history drawing about 620 supporters. The black-tie event, combined with the 21st Annual Golf Tournament and Inaugural Tennis Tournament will net about $180,000 for the $1.5 million Comprehensive Breast Center to be built in Zephyrhills.
“That blows away previous years,” according to FHZ Foundation Executive Director Carolyn Sentelik.
“I would say that Julianne Hough just dazzled the crowd,” Sentelik said. “Especially since she shared with us that she has the stomach flu. I was surprised that she performed to the level that she did. She was very gracious.”
Hough (pronounced “Huff”) joked with the audience about supporting her brother who is currently on Dancing with the Stars. She said he needs help because he had to compete with the conservative engine behind Bristol Palin.
“The gala was an overwhelming success,” said Sentelik who took the big chair at FHZ Foundation just months ago, but added that she didn’t do it alone.
“For my first gala I was impressed about how things went,” said Sentelik. “Leslie Dellas, our foundation coordinator, did a remarkable job seeing to every detail. She worked so very hard. Thanks has to go to all of our volunteers, we had a huge corps of volunteers.”
