Mercy Health Foundation’s 12th Annual Mercy Masquerade

By the time Mercy Health Foundation guests came to MercyFest, they discovered deja vu, Saturday, January 23, 2016, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel. As the old adage goes, if you remember the Sixties, you probably were not there. Regardless, approximately 675 attended to rejoice the 12th Annual Mercy Masquerade, which raised $800,000. The funds will support charity care programs throughout Mercy and helped connect the underserved with healthcare and social service resources, provide access to prescription medications and diabetic supplies, and cancer patients with dental care prior to radiation treatment.

The themed gala, “MercyFest”, took guests back to the heady days of Woodstock, the “Summer of Love”, and the “British Invasion”, where music and culture intersected to create a vibrant, turbulent, and evolutionary decade of change. The cocktail reception set the stage with props of vintage posters, tie dyed wall coverings, and record albums. An ensemble of St. Louis musicians revisited the favorites of the decade as guests savored hors d’oeurves and their favorite beverages.

During a groovy, psychedelic three course dinner, the audience witnessed Vocal Edge singing Mercy’s mission of healthcare. The a “remake” of a Vegas style show featured the “Beatles, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Cher”, not the Rat Pack. “Do You Believe in Magic” – the Beatles backing up Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Cher? A bad trip? No, just a journey to the center of your mind known as show biz. The “Fab Four” did come together to perform a few of their classics plus John Lennon’s love/peace anthem, “Imagine”.

Dancing to Groovethang brought the evening to an ideal ending. Or as Lennon-McCartney so succinct and eloquently wrote, “And, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make”.

Anne Allred, Allen Allred, and Babette and Dr. David Meiners co-chaired the event. Spotted among the crowd included Thriess and Lynn Britton (CEO, Mercy Health), Lauri and Jeff Johnston (president of Mercy Hospital St. Louis), Donn Sorensen (president of Mercy East Region) with Alicia Deck, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Isaac Bruce, Jim and Meghan Edmonds, Dan and Kelly Harbaugh, Scott and Lindsay Bush, Lisa and Doug Pitt, Dan and Holly Buck, Tom and Chris Eschen, Bill and Marsha Rusnack, Dr. Jack and Sharon Marsbarger, Alex and John Q. Arnold, Nancy and Tim Tegeler, Karen and Dr. Joe Kahn, Patty Arnold, Tammy and Gary Krebel, Julie and Curt Crossley, and Dr Alok and Wendy Sengupta, Dr. John and Stephanie Nash, Audrey Henderson and Kellie Cannon. “Cher” and “Jimi Hendrix” even circulated the “house” but no Elvis!

In fulfillment of Mercy’s mission, all proceeds from the 12th Annual Masquerade will extend outstanding medical care to uninsured and underserved patients at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. This year’s event will expand charity care programs throughout Mercy, including connecting the underserved with healthcare and social service resources, providing access to prescription medications and diabetic supplies, and rendering dental care to cancer patients prior to radiation treatment.

Over the past 12 years, the Mercy Masquerade has raised more than $5.7 million, which has made a significant impact on Mercy’s ability to provide exceptional health care to uninsured and underinsured members in the community.

The event’s success would not have occurred without the generous support of the sponsors. Mercy Health Foundation would like to thank all its sponsors, especially the Centene Charitable Foundation, John H. Purnell Foundation, McCarthy, Thompson Coburn LLP, Krey Distributing, LDI, Babette and Dr. David Meiners, and Musick Construction Company.