ELLSWORTH — Despite being canceled for 2020, the Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital Chefs’ Gala continues to fund healthcare improvements in its communities thanks to support from generous businesses and individuals and a $5,000 match of donations.

Upon learning that the Gala would not be held because of COVID-19, committee chair Michele Francis and her husband, Chad Francis, co-owner of Atlantic Landscape Construction in Ellsworth, made a commitment to match $5,000 in donations, according to the hospital. Proceeds support emergency care for kids and other enhancements to the Emergency Department.

“We were disappointed when the Gala didn’t happen this year,” said Michele, in a news release. 

She further noted that the need to raise funds remained even after the event was canceled.

“Now more than ever, we realize that access to local, high quality is so important,” she said. “We’re excited to say that the $5,000 has not only been matched but exceeded.”

More than $43,000 in total has been raised to create a dedicated, well-equipped room to care for the specialized needs of pediatric patients in the Emergency Department. Several sponsors and ticketholders, including presenting sponsor Camden National Bank, chose to support the fundraising effort, even after the Chefs’ Gala was canceled.

“We’re incredibly thankful for our communities’ generous support during this unprecedented time,” said John Ronan, FACHE, president, Maine Coast Hospital. “We regret not being able to come together for the spring garden party that our wonderful chefs and volunteers had planned, but we’re grateful to those who are helping us make our vision for a pediatric treatment room in the Emergency Department a reality.”

Maine Coast Hospital continues to accept donations to fund the Emergency Department project. To contribute, visit northernlighthealth.org/chefsgala or contact JoAnn Brown, Philanthropy Officer at joann.brown@northernlight.org or 207.664.5548.

At Northern Light Health, we’re building a better approach to healthcare because we believe people deserve access to care that works for them. As an integrated health delivery system serving Maine, we’re raising the bar with no-nonsense solutions that are leading the way to a healthier future for our state. Our more than 12,000 team members—in our hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, long-term and home healthcare, and ground and air medical transport and emergency care—are committed to making healthcare work for you: our patients, communities, and employees. To learn more about Northern Light Health and our locations across Maine, visit www.northernlighthealth.org.