Newton Citizen

Special photo. The Newton Medical Center Auxiliary's Spring Gala Steering Committee is shown here. They are Betty Rawlins, Beth Scarborough, Vicki Sewell, Auxiliary President Frances Rogers, Esther Williams, Hostess Ann Brewer and Gala Chair Sharon Payne. Not pictured is Kim Trover, Val Hampton and Lynn Skoburn.

COVINGTON -- Spring has undeniably arrived and that means it's time to celebrate with Newton Medical Center Auxiliary's Annual Spring Gala.

"It is the social event of Newton County for the year," said Gala Chair Sharon Payne. "Everyone looks forward to it."

The Spring Gala is an integral part of the annual fundraising budget for the Auxiliary and members aim to retire the debt on equipment they purchased for the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from proceeds from this year's event and get a head start on their next project.

The group had pledged $350,000 two years ago for the equipment and all but $15,000 has already been raised.

"We'd love to raise about what we did last year," Payne said, adding that the next project to benefit the hospital is already in the planning stages.

The 2010 Spring Gala raised almost $100,000 with about 350 in attendance.

Planned for Saturday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m., the gala will be at historic Mount Pleasant, the home of Ann Brewer, located on Cedar Lane in Covington. Tickets are $100 each and various sponsorship levels are open for the black tie optional event, which includes cocktails, dining, dancing to music from a live band and a live auction of some 18 not-to-be-missed treasures.

"This year one of our guests will be Miss Georgia 2010 Christina McCauley," Payne said. "She'll be there during the cocktail hour and dinner to sign autographs and will assist with our 50-50 auction, and she will be singing for us."

Tickets can be purchased at The Gainer Center, the Auxiliary office on Mill Street, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 770-788-6553.