The Beeville Ladies Night Out committee made a check presentation to Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville this week, donating funds from the 2008 Beeville Ladies Night Out last February. A check for $15,244 was presented to Jerry Rodriguez, COO of Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville and Cheri Jay, RN, and Certified Diabetes Educator. The funds from the 2008 event are going directly to programs to help patients in Bee County who have diabetes.

“This past year’s event was the most successful fundraiser to date. The generosity of our sponsors and guests recognized the urgency to support our call to raise funds for diabetes education in Bee County,” Sherry Bowman, Chair of Beeville Ladies Night Out, said, “This donation will help change lives and will have a direct impact on our community.”

The money raised will go to three programs run by Christus Spohn (1) Diabetes Self-Management Programs (one full program per month): includes eight hours of classroom instruction and three follow-up visits with Cheri Jay. (2) Quarterly diabetes education “Lunch and Learn” sessions for local health care workers outside of the hospital setting, e.g., physician office nurses, nursing home staff, and school nurses. These sessions help to keep these workers current on their knowledge of diabetes and how to help their patients with the disease. (3) Continued monthly Diabetes Resource Trainer inservices for Christus Spohn Beeville nurses. This inservice offers additional training and tools on diabetes that participants take back to their units and share.

During the presentation, Jerry Rodriguez also took time to express his appreciation of the group saying, “These ladies are all leaders in the community who give so much. They spend an entire year planning these events and give an amazing amount of time and energy to its success. Christus Spohn is honored to be the recipient of the proceeds from their hard work.”

The 2009 Beeville Ladies Night Out will be on Fat Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at the Bee County Expo. The project that will be funded with those proceeds will be the creation of a child-friendly pediatric room in Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville. This room will feature new medical equipment designed for children, new paint colors, new furnishings (including recliners for parents to stay overnight), and electronic games to help entertain and distract sick children.

Beeville Ladies Night Out was started in 2005 by Ms. Lou Adele May as a way to raise funds for important projects while offering a fun-filled night for the ladies of Bee County and surrounding areas. The 2009 Committee members are Sherry Bowman (Co-chair), Debbi Heard (Co-chair), Connie Hatfield, Shirley O’Neil, Melissa Hughes, Leticia Munoz, Lou Adele May, Robin Pilgrim, Mary Joy, and Jackie Hughes.