2011 Mardi Gras king and queen Eusebio Arballo and Sylvia Preciado Platero crown the new king and queen Mark McKane and Theresa Robertson during the fifth annual Mardi Gras Fundraiser Bal hosted by the El Centro Regional Medical Center Foundation on Friday night in El Centro. (ALEJANDRO DAVILA PHOTO) |
The El Centro Regional Medical Center Mardi Gras Fundraiser Bal was back again this Friday for the fifth consecutive year and with it came auctions, raffles, dinner, music and of course, the El Centro king and queen coronation.
The honors of king and queen went to Mark McKane and Theresa Robertson, respectively. This comes for their contributions to the community.
Both were crowned right after the live auction of numerous items such as an iPad, premier club seat tickets for a San Diego Padres game and memorabilia signed by football player Philip Rivers and baseball player Tony Gwyn.
“I’m honored and blessed to be in this position,” said queen Robertson.
“There’s nothing left for me to say … good job,” said king McKane jokingly before he thanked the community for the honor.
But for the king and queen and attendees, the event wasn’t so much about the prizes, but as queen Robertson said: “It’s all about fundraising for the hospital.”
“It’s obviously another sold-out event this evening,” said Marty Dineley, executive director of the ECRMC Foundation.
All proceeds will go back to the different programs, projects and services ECRMC provides to county residents, Dineley said. The main project being the renovation of the ECRMC lobby, she said.
And though $25,000 was the mark set for the evening, “I do expect to surpass that,” she said.
This fundraising mark was surely achieved with the help of the roughly 250 people that attended the colorfully decorated halls of the Old Eucalyptus Schoolhouse in El Centro.
Councilmember Efrain Silva and numerous other city and county officials were seen among the crowd whose smiles and beads gleamed under the lights of the party.
“It’s a fun, signature event that the city of El Centro has,” said Silva who added the choices for king and queen are a “tremendous representation” of the community’s support.
Throughout the event Dixieland jazz among other styles of music was played by Alyssa Ferguson and Skye Hymer, who played their saxophones while attendees ate shrimp boil, andouille sausage and other southern dishes.
“The food is excellent,” said Supervisor Jack Terrazas, who many didn’t recognize as he was wearing a colorful Mardi Gras mask.
And Mardi Gras theme celebrations will continue, because today El Centro is having the Mardi Gras Light Parade & Street Festival.
The parade, which grows every year, starts at 6 p.m., said Silva.
Everybody should come to the parade, said queen Robertson to attendees, but the message is surely directed toward the general public as well.
Robertson and McKane will ride one of the dozens of float and “I might just throw you (some) beads,” Robertson said.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
The honors of king and queen went to Mark McKane and Theresa Robertson, respectively. This comes for their contributions to the community.
Both were crowned right after the live auction of numerous items such as an iPad, premier club seat tickets for a San Diego Padres game and memorabilia signed by football player Philip Rivers and baseball player Tony Gwyn.
“I’m honored and blessed to be in this position,” said queen Robertson.
“There’s nothing left for me to say … good job,” said king McKane jokingly before he thanked the community for the honor.
But for the king and queen and attendees, the event wasn’t so much about the prizes, but as queen Robertson said: “It’s all about fundraising for the hospital.”
“It’s obviously another sold-out event this evening,” said Marty Dineley, executive director of the ECRMC Foundation.
All proceeds will go back to the different programs, projects and services ECRMC provides to county residents, Dineley said. The main project being the renovation of the ECRMC lobby, she said.
And though $25,000 was the mark set for the evening, “I do expect to surpass that,” she said.
This fundraising mark was surely achieved with the help of the roughly 250 people that attended the colorfully decorated halls of the Old Eucalyptus Schoolhouse in El Centro.
Councilmember Efrain Silva and numerous other city and county officials were seen among the crowd whose smiles and beads gleamed under the lights of the party.
“It’s a fun, signature event that the city of El Centro has,” said Silva who added the choices for king and queen are a “tremendous representation” of the community’s support.
Throughout the event Dixieland jazz among other styles of music was played by Alyssa Ferguson and Skye Hymer, who played their saxophones while attendees ate shrimp boil, andouille sausage and other southern dishes.
“The food is excellent,” said Supervisor Jack Terrazas, who many didn’t recognize as he was wearing a colorful Mardi Gras mask.
And Mardi Gras theme celebrations will continue, because today El Centro is having the Mardi Gras Light Parade & Street Festival.
The parade, which grows every year, starts at 6 p.m., said Silva.
Everybody should come to the parade, said queen Robertson to attendees, but the message is surely directed toward the general public as well.
Robertson and McKane will ride one of the dozens of float and “I might just throw you (some) beads,” Robertson said.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
