OakBend Medical Center’s eighth annual Patchwork of Life event went virtual this year and not only raised money for the hospital but honored First Responders around the county and named the recipient of the Jeff Council Award.
Complying with the CDC recommendations for the COVID pandemic and State and County restrictions, the hospital reinvented this year’s event to become a virtual telethon à la Jerry Lewis.
Several of the communities first responders were honored during the telethon. These honorees were:
Ft Bend Sheriff’s Office, Jerome Ellis
Ft. Bend EMS, Christopher Gamble
Richmond Police Department, Elisa Smith
Rosenberg Fire Department, Matthew Northrup
PHI Air Medical, Chris Dubois
Rather than naming one of their own for an award, the Richmond Fire Department to dedicate a plaque to be hung in the hospital which reads as follows:
”In honor of those who have suffered, sacrificed, and supported during the COVID 19 pandemic, may we always be grateful and never forget.” – Richmond Fire Dept.
This year’s virtual event raised approximately $334,000, the combined amount of the sponsorships, silent and live auctions.
“I am extremely pleased with this year’s fundraiser,” stated Joe Freudenberger, CEO of OakBend Medical Center. “We were in unchartered waters for us and unsure of how much would be raised through the virtual event, but our community has come through once again. With their support and contributions, OakBend continues our mission which is to provide exceptional, compassionate health care for our community, regardless of ability to pay. I want to thank everyone that help put the event together and a special to everyone that supported us at Patchwork this year.”
