I am privileged to announce that the 39th Annual Gala was once again a resounding success, with world-class entertainment from country stars Little Big Town, a gourmet meal, and a program that honored local philanthropist Jim Willis and long-time Southeast Texas oncologist Dr. Robert Birdwell. Each year, this “Party with a Purpose” attracts well over 1,000 attendees, from businesses to foundations to individuals. Each year, our Southeast Texas community unites in support of the CHRISTUS mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, and for that we are so grateful.

The CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation focused the program portion of the evening on the $1.5 million raised to help offer the best in cancer detection and treatment at our local CHRISTUS Facilities. The Foundation has worked steadfastly to raise funds to upgrade medical cancer equipment.  These major fundraising strides were made possible because of the outpouring of support from local foundations and individuals who support our CHRISTUS cause.

We have been able to secure funding for such lifesaving equipment because of donors like YOU that so generously give. Local individuals, businesses, and foundations have made the great works of the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation possible. It is because of YOU, the donors, that women and men in Southeast Texas will have access to the highest quality of cancer detection and care.

Thank you to everyone who supported CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation at the 39th Annual Gala. We will see you all next year!

Sincerely,

Ivy Pate, Foundation President

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The Sabine Chapter of Credit Unions hosts the Kids Classic Golf Tournament each year at Bayou Din Golf Club.  Proceeds from the tournament are donated to Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals.

On April 18, the Sabine Chapter of Credit Unions presented Ivy Pate, Foundation President, and Melissa Conley, CMN Hospitals Program Manager, with a check for $20,000! Their donation will go toward providing lifesaving medical equipment for sick and injured kids at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth and Jasper Memorial. Thank you, Sabine Chapter of Credit Unions, for your generous donation.

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The CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation is proud to announce a $200,000 donation from two of our very special, dedicated, and philanthropic donors. Because of their generosity, we will now be able to purchase Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy Equipment and MRI 3T Breast Biopsy Monitor. Our Foundation is so blessed to be patronized by local individuals who have a heart for healthcare. We count on the continued generosity of donors to help keep the CHRISTUS mission alive. We are able to extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ because of the selflessness, kindness, and bigheartedness of those who are true stewards.

Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy Equipment uses sound waves to help locate a lump or abnormality and remove a tissue sample for examination in a less invasive manner than surgical biopsy, leaving little to no scarring. It also does not involve exposure to radiation. The MRI 3T Breast Biopsy Monitor is the accompanying monitor.

We strive to give CHRISTUS patients peace of mind that they are getting the highest quality in cancer care right here at home, which means spending less time driving back and forth to Houston and spending more time with family and support systems, receiving emotional support that is so vital.

Once again, we want to say thank you to two of our very special donors. You have given the women of Southeast Texas a lasting gift.

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This year, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals hosted the Toy Drive of Southeast Texas. The community was invited to donate toys, craft supplies, and clothes to sick and injured kids at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth. Donations were collected at CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth and several partnering Dairy Queen locations.

From hospital departments to local high schools, the Southeast Texas community showed incredible generosity. Emily Neild, a pre-teen from Nederland, even spearheaded her own drive for craft supplies and DVDs. Neild lives with mitochondrial disease and has spent a significant amount of time in the hospital. She knows how important it is for hospitals to have activities that will keep kids’ minds off of treatment during their stay. With the help of friends and family, Neild donated over $3,000 worth of craft supplies and DVDs.

Donations made to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through the Toy Drive of Southeast Texas will provide entertainment for pediatric patients at CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth throughout the year.

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Click the image to read more about the donation:

This Valentine’s Day, Neches Federal Credit Union hosted a bake sale to raise money for their local Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth and Jasper Memorial. They invited members to stop by one of their locations and pick up some Valentine treats. Neches employees also chose to participate in the Miracle Jeans Day campaign by making a donation to CMN Hospitals in exchange for wearing jeans on Valentine’s Day.

What a generous way to share the love on Valentine’s Day! Thank you, Neches Federal Credit Union.

Excerpt from original article.

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CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation has teamed up with the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth Outpatient Lactation Clinic to offer free breast pumps to qualifying patients. Stacie Jones, Lead Lactation Consultant, gave some insight into the Breast Pump Gift Program:

“In order to comply with our Baby Friendly Designation guidelines, we are to provide resources for families to help them successfully breastfeed. With approximately 60% of our mothers returning to work after 6-8 weeks, a double electric breast pump is essential for continuing breastfeeding during this transition. A small population of patients is unable to obtain a pump through private or medicate insurance providers and do not have the means to purchase a pump for home use.

We are grateful to have received funds from the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation to initiate the Breast Pump Gift Program to ensure every mother has a breast pump for home use at discharge. Providing a breast pump can increase the length of time a mother breastfeeds, thus extending the many health benefits of mother’s milk for mom and baby.”

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Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation hosted the 8th Annual Shootin’ for a Miracle Clay Shoot on Saturday, March 3 at the One-in-One Hundred Gun Club in Lumberton, Texas.

Four-person teams took to the range to participate in this friendly competition benefiting our community. From novice to champion shooters, the clay shoot provided a fun way for everyone to practice their skills while supporting a great cause.

Congratulations to our winners:

Lewis Class: Division I Highest Overall Team – Echo Group

Lewis Class: Division II First Place – Beaumont Bone & Joint Team 1

Lewis Class: Division III First Place – Outdoor Media Group

Highest Overall Man – Wes Chessner (Echo Group)

Highest Overall Woman – Patricia Walker (CHRISTUS HWC)

Around the World First Place – Grady Gibbons (ISC)

We are extremely grateful to all of the sponsors, participants, and volunteers who helped make Shootin’ for a Miracle a success. Thank you and we hope to you see you again next year!

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View more photos on the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Southeast Texas Facebook page.

Thanks to a $2,500 grant from the Junior League of Beaumont, the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation was able to team up with the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth Outpatient Lactation Clinic to provide Pack ‘n Plays (portable cribs) for the Safe Sleep Program. The Safe Sleep Program encompasses varying levels of education and prevention, and the Pack ‘n Plays are a very big piece of this potentially life-saving program. The Pack ‘n Plays will encourage safe sleep by keeping babies in the portable cribs and out of the parents’ beds.

We have already started to distribute the Pack ‘n Plays, and our recipient families have been so grateful.

Thank you to the Junior League of Beaumont for helping our Southeast Texas families.

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It’s that time of year again! Join us this year for the 39th Annual CHRISTUS Gala starring Little Big Town. Little Big Town has earned over 35 award show nominations and in the past five years has taken home nearly 20 awards, including multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM awards, and an Emmy award. Little Big Town are nominated for best country duo/group performance for this year’s 2019 Grammy for the song “When Someone Stops Loving You.”

Each year, the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation continues to raise the bar by offering world class entertainment, five-star cuisine, and elegant ambiance. Past CHRISTUS Gala entertainers include Keith Urban, James Taylor, Reba McEntire, Don Henley, Aretha Franklin, and Harry Connick, Jr., just to name a few. The much anticipated and always exceptional Gala brings the community together to celebrate the CHRISTUS mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

The black tie benefit provides an opportunity for an intimate evening of entertainment starting with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 7 p.m. followed by a gourmet meal at 8, all leading to the Little Big Town performance at 9:30. Tables for eight start at $3000 and individual seating starts at $375. Seating is limited and expected to sell out quickly.

The proceeds from the Gala go towards funding life-saving equipment for CHRISTUS Hospitals in Southeast Texas. Past galas have helped raise funds for major medical equipment such as 3D Mammography and Cancer equipment.

Joy and Will Crenshaw will be the Gala Chairs this year and the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation is excited to be spotlighting two community members: Jim Willis as the Legacy Award Recipient and Dr. Robert Birdwell for his decades of service.

“We are excited to offer the community a night of stellar entertainment with Little Big Town. They span musical genres with their country foundation and pop influenced music. We pride ourselves on throwing the biggest party of the year, and I know we will live up to that promise again at this year’s gala,” said Ivy Pate, Foundation President.

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With the end of the year just around the corner, now is an excellent time for you to review your charitable contribution. You might want to make a list to ensure that you have taken full advantage of all of the tax saving deductions available to you. Here are some ideas for year-end planning that can help support our cause and benefit you.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

A simple gift of cash or an unneeded asset can assist our work and provide you with valuable tax savings.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY

Double your benefits while making a gift and receiving cash back. A gift annuity gives you income tax advantages this year while providing you with dependable payments for life at fixed rates as high as 9.5%.

IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER

If Congress again passes the IRA charitable rollover. You can transfer up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to a qualified nonprofit without paying federal income tax.

ADDITIONAL TAX SAVINGS

Be sure to review your mortgage, medical, education, business and other miscellaneous expenses to determine if there are additional ways you can save on taxes this year. Check your list against your advisor’s recommendations to avoid missing any significant deductions. Congress has changed the rules in recent years. If you haven’t visited your attorney to review your estate plan, you should make an appointment before the end of the year or early in the new year. Your plans may need to be updated, particularly if you have experienced life changes. Please contact us for help. We can refer you to qualified attorneys and advisors and provide you with a free guide to make your planning easier.

“Your gifts underwrite the work of the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation which provides vital equipment and programs for our hospitals. Thank you for your support of our mission to extend the healing ministries of Jesus Christ.” -Ivy Pate, President

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