Dave Rama Sr charmed the Margaretville Hospital Art Auction, with participants raising nearly $60k for the heliport
By Robert Brune
MARGARETVILLE — The local art community went above and beyond to make Margaretville Hospital’s Fourth Annual Art Auction a resounding success, organized by…(needs clarification). Forty-four artists were donated to this cause to raise funds for the hospital heliport. With a great diversity of magnificent works of art, it exceeded the expectations of the organizers. The auction was held at the Margaretville Telephone and Cable (MTC) Community Hall this past Saturday.
Margaretville Hospital is a critical care facility where every second matters. This hospital is one of twelve healthcare facilities owned by Westchester Medical Center (WMC). There were 3,600
emergency patients at this location in Margaretville in 2022. Last year, 50 patients with significantly complex issues required helicopter transport to a higher acuity center according to the literature promoting this event.
Before the event, Dave Rama Sr. expressed his feelings on the day, “This will be my third year (as the auctioneer of the annual action). It really is a fun event. A tremendous opportunity to raise money for a much-needed heliport. I think the leaders of the community are here. People are like ladders to lift people up. Every year the auction has been stronger and stronger, the artwork is greater each year, the participation and donations by the tremendous local artists. We got some artwork from some very famous artists; we thank everyone for their participation.”
Upon entering the MTC Community Hall, the pre-auction crowd was pleased to be greeted by a long table of top-shelf drinks and refreshments. Artist Peter Mayor (sp?), who is an expert on art event openings, gave great praise for the impressive spread on his Monday night WIOX radio program. The atmosphere was delightful, with not a single seat unattended and standing room only by the time the auction kicked off. Rama, who brings forty years’ experience as a cattle auctioneer, floated through the room with captivating grace and a unique brand of fun, entertaining with his delivery of each piece of art auctioned.
Co-chair of the Margaretville Hospital fundraiser and member of the Margaretville Hospital Foundation Board (needs to be clarified, what is her actual title?), Beth Eckels shared her joy and appreciation for everyone participating in this event organized by all volunteers with the support of WMC.
It was a lovely evening and a very successful fundraiser! The room was packed, and both the guests and auctioneer Dave Rama brought great energy to the bidding. We raised a record amount that will give us a significant boost toward full funding and starting construction on the hospital heliport. Seeing the community come together to support a great cause and celebrate the area’s artists demonstrates why this is such a wonderful place to live.
Co-chair of the Margaretville Hospital art fundraiser
Jim Howie asked about the timeline of the construction of the heliport, “Theoretically this year, but WMC is reluctant to start without full funds upfront. We have been trying to get them to start since we think people will be willing to give if they see some construction activity.”
The target fundraising goal from the Margaretville Hospital Foundation Board for the year for the heliport is $400K. At last month’s board meeting, they had reached approximately $150K. Jim Howie has a rough estimate of nearly $60K raised from the art auction on Saturday. This gets the heliport fundraiser at the halfway point for the goal set for this year. Howie says there will be additional events through this summer and in the fall. WMC will be adding to the balance of the funds for the heliport construction. The total cost is undetermined with the opening bidding process which has yet to be completed.
Contributing artists included (according to lot number lineup): Patrice Lorenz, Holly Cohen,
Michael Reichman, Melanie Greene, John Curtis, Polly M. Law, Gary Mayer, Michael Linehan, Ted Sheridan, Moshe Rosenthalis, Michelle Sidrane, Arne Haugen Sorensen, Robin Factor, Ellen Wong, Amy Masters, Roberto Dutesco, Peter Tunney, Christie Scheele, Emilie Adams, Hunt Slonem, Beth Casper, Karim Ghidinelli, Melanie Greene, Judy Howie Coury, Lisbeth Firmin, Peter Mayer, Steve Burnett, Stuart Bigley, Cyrus Henry Wagner, Stephen Pace, Bea Ortiz, Christopher Moore, Steven Weinberg, Ann Greene Kelly, William Duke, Jack Richardson, Chris Criswell, Karen LaFever, Robert Indiana, Sally De Poala, Faye Storms, David Finley, and R. Purcell.
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