To the Journal editor:

The Superior Health Foundation staff and Board of Directors offer their sincerest thanks to 22 event sponsors, dozens of prize donors and all of our guests for making the 2014 Superior Health Foundation Annual Gala a resounding success.

The SHF, along with gala partner Great Lakes Recovery Centers, welcomed 280 guests from across the region to the Holiday Inn in Marquette on Oct. 11 for an evening with great friends, delicious food and terrific entertainment provided by Lee Alverson, an Elton John/Billy Joel impersonator from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The SHF and GLRC proudly report that the gala netted more than $51,000 in revenue, with the two non-profit organizations splitting the proceeds evenly. GLRC, a regional behavioral health non-profit agency providing a wide array of substance abuse and mental health services across the Upper Peninsula, will use its portion of the proceeds toward developing an ambulatory (Social) detoxification program in Marquette County.

Social detox programming is intended to help those struggling with acute episodes of alcohol or drug use detox safely and link with ongoing treatment services.

We applaud GLRC for its vision and using its share of the proceeds to develop a program that will provide invaluable help to many. The SHF is proud to stand alongside a well-respected partner whose mission aligns closely with ours.

It was truly an evening to remember, and we are tremendously thankful to everyone, including a dynamic and hard-working Gala Committee, who played a defining role in the gala’s success. Thank you!

Jim LaJoie, executive director

Superior Health Foundation