Local News
Christian band to perform at Fla. Hospital gala
Marc Valero | Highlands Today
Published: September 8, 2012
SEBRING - Acclaimed and popular contemporary Christian band Casting Crowns will be performing at Florida Hospital Foundation's 18th annual gala Nov. 1 at the South Florida State College Theatre for the Performing Arts.Published: September 8, 2012
The Grammy Award and Dove Award winning band was the most played artist on Christian Radio in 2007, according Radio & Records Weekly charts, and is the second fastest Christian band in history to have their first two albums certified platinum.
Florida Hospital Foundation members Jean Lund, Kim Heintz, Lisa Jarrett and Jamie Bateman announced the details Friday of the gala's events, including the gala dinner and entertainment, silent auction, golf tournament and 5K and 10K run/walk.
They stressed that all funds raised from the gala benefit Florida Hospital's medical campuses in Highlands and Hardee counties.
Lund said, "We are very excited that we have a Christian band with us to make their way into the Heartland area. In the hustle and bustle of our everyday life things can get pretty hard on everyone and it's nice to be focused on something that is truly important when this group sings and it just brings an uplifting aspect to everybody during this time."
The band has garnered more than 14 GMA (Gospel Music Association) Dove Awards, three Grammy Awards and an American Music Award, she noted. Casting Crowns has sold more than 8.2 million albums and has been named Billboard Magazine's top selling Christian act for the past four years.
The band performed before a total of nearly a million people during its "Until the Whole World Hears" tour that played in 175 cities from 2009-2011, Lund said. So they are really popular.
The gala's social hour and silent auction will start at 5 p.m., Nov. 1 in the South Florida State College Panther Gym. The dinner will follow at 6 p.m. in the gym and then the concert at 8 p.m. in the Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Pediatrics is the focus this year so parents and kids don't have to travel a long distance for care, Lund said. Also, there is a focus to continue the growth and development at Florida Hospital Wauchula.
"All the money that is raised from the gala is invested right back into our communities," she said.
Heintz said the gala's golf tournament is returning to the Sun 'N Lake Golf Club on Nov. 2 with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. and a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. at both the Turtle and Deer Run courses. There will be refreshments before the tournament and then a lunch and awards ceremony.
"Each year we sell out this famous golf tournament and we are hoping to do it again this year," she said.
Jarrett said the 5K fun/walk and 10K will be held the morning of Nov. 4 behind the emergency room department at Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center.
"New this year is we are offering a 5K and a 10K; so if you really want to run, run twice," she said. There will be awards for each event.
Registration will start at 6:30 a.m. and the race will be at 7:30 a.m. Preregistration forms will be accepted no later than Oct. 15. After that, participants can register the day of the race.
The first 300 registrants will receive a long-sleeve dress shirt and a goody bag. All age groups and the overall winners will receive a trophy, Jarrett said.
mvalero@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5826