Gala benefiting Libby's Cabinet Peaks Medical Center raises $82,000

An annual gala held to support Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby on Dec. 9 raised about $82,000 for the critical access hospital in Lincoln County.

The 27th iteration of the Festival of Trees was held in the Libby Memorial Events Center. The Cabinet Peaks Foundation hosts the yearly fundraiser, which includes live music, dancing, raffles, and silent and live auctions. About 280 people attended, officials said.

“The Cabinet Peaks Foundation Board and I are amazed by the results of this event once again this year,” said Executive Director Donna Nicely in a statement. “I am so very grateful for this community’s commitment to our medical center, and for their understanding of the importance of keeping quality care and state-of-the art medical technology available here in Lincoln County.”

Over the last nearly three decades, the gala has raised more than $750,000 to bolster the medical center and provide for state-of-the-art equipment. The $82,000 raised this month broke records for the foundation, officials said in a press release. 

Aside from gala attendees, area businesses and philanthropists supported the effort through cash donations and items for the silent and live auctions. Nicely said she was “humbled by their spirit of giving” to the effort.

“We really can’t say thank you enough,” she said. “The community support that it takes to pull off an event of this size is truly incredible. The board and I are forever grateful to those who contributed through sponsorships, raffle and auction items, tree donations, and to those who came out to enjoy the evening.”