‘Keeping the Dream Alive’ benefit planned August 12

DEL NORTE—Please join the 11th Annual Rio Grande Hospital benefit “Keeping the Dream Alive” Saturday, Aug. 12. Dinner will be served from 5:30–6:30 p.m., followed by a short program to review the past year’s events and future plans of Rio Grande Hospital. The auction will start at 7 p.m. at the Del Norte High School Bus Garage 1055 French Street.

Tickets are $12 per person and include dinner and a chance to win a door prize drawing. Tickets are available at the hospital, clinics and at the door.

All proceeds go directly to Rio Grande Hospital. 

The meal, prepared by Smokin” Johnny’s this year, will include smoked pork, potato salad, beans, potato chips, rolls and brownies. Sponsors are Centura Health, Community Banks of Colorado, Del Norte Bank, Dr. Richard and Cheryl Santi, Eagle Air Med, Parkview Medical Center, Rio Grande Savings & Loan Association and San Luis Valley Federal.

To thank the first 30 donating a minimum of $1,000, Rio Grande Hospital will give  the donors a complimentary custom-made bag by Marilyn Davey (Shades, Quilts, & Etc.) filled with gifts. Davey generously donates her hand-crafted bags to the “Keeping the Dream Alive” hospital benefit every year. 

Featured auction items include: Bronco and Rockies game tickets, private scenic tour flights, framed photograph by Ken Krahn, Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Concert Series tickets, multi rounds of golf with carts, Lady’s Cruiser bicycle from Pepsi, Wolf Creek Ski Area lift tickets, 4UR dinner by Chef Blake Bond, jewelry by Mellott and Scherzers, passes to Sand Dunes Swimming Pool, custom quilt by Kathy Black, custom inlaid cutting board by Bill Sauvigne, Grande Natural Meat’s gift basket, Creede Olive Oil gift basket, Sears four-burner gas grill, one night at the Antlers Lodge, eye exams with Dr. Heersink, Brooke Stone granite pastry boards, CRT tickets, local honey, pies, trees, shrubs, unique wines, fly fishing outfit, and much, much more. There will also be a drawing for four door prizes.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the expansion project. It’s time to embark on the largest construction project the hospital has undertaken since it was built. A connecting-building will be constructed between the rural health clinic and the hospital with expansion of physical therapy and the addition of new services such as cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and wound care. The new building will also provide space for visiting specialists. Additions will be made to the emergency room and the administrative wing. Conference rooms will be added to support education and networking for the community. This also includes significant upgrades and remodeling of the Del Norte rural health clinic to be more patient-centric and team-based. 

“Keeping the Dream Alive” is an event in remembrance of the efforts of Dr. Norman Haug, founder of Rio Grande Hospital. It was Ron Martinez and Dr. Haug’s dream to hold this annual community celebration.