January 17, 2025
The St. Peter’s Health Foundation is thrilled to announce that their annual Gala, held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Helena Civic Center Ballroom, was a resounding success. This black-tie event, which featured cocktails, dinner, live music by The Famous Undercover, and both live and silent auctions, raised over $408,000 for Pete’s Place Early Childhood Learning Center.
The Gala, attended by 475 guests, was a night to remember. The proceeds from this year’s Gala assisted in funding St. Peter’s employee childcare program, a $3.6 million project aimed at addressing the critical need for expanded child care services for the health system’s workforce and families in our community. The new center, which opened in August 2024, has already increased its capacity from 44 to 180 children and can eventually accommodate up to 240 children, including after-school programs for 60 children.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from our donors, sponsors, employees, and the Helena community,” said St. Peter’s Health Foundation Executive Vice President Stephen Mason. “This record-breaking year saw unprecedented contributions from Gala sponsors, live drive donors, auction bidders, raffle ticket purchasers, and volunteers. Every employee at St. Peter’s should be proud of their individual and collective efforts. Our community’s pride in our work is evident in their investment in us.”
Videos debuted at the Gala celebrated Honorary Chairs and Icons DeLona and Ray Zinn, the Zero to Five Early Childhood Collaborative of Greater Helena, and Pete’s Place Early Childhood Learning Center.
Pete’s Place offers a loving, safe, and nurturing environment that promotes brain development, healthy play, and emotional support for children. This initiative directly supports many employees at St. Peter’s and countless other parents and guardians employed by organizations like the VA, Boeing, Shodair, and the State of Montana.
“Our journey in 2024 was transformative,” said Brandie Lorenz, Pete’s Place Program Director. “Seeing the joy and growth in the children at Pete’s Place has been incredibly rewarding. I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our staff, the support from St. Peter’s, the trust placed in us from our children’s parents, and the generosity of our community. The Gala was a perfect way to celebrate a wonderful year.”
The expansion of child care services through Pete’s Place is a significant step forward for all employers in the Helena area, providing much-needed child care options.
Gala sponsors and donors included St. Peter’s Hospital Association, Suzi and Jim Stanger, Dick Anderson Construction, Allegiance, Anderson Hedge Wagner Kienitz Zwemke & Associates at Merrill Lynch, Sharon and Dr. Russ Bell, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, First Interstate Bank, Stephi and Wade Johnson, Eaton Turner Jewelry, Jeannie Etchart, Dr. Chelsey Field and Fieldstone Hardscapes, Helena OB/GYN & Associates, Lorna and Stephen Mason, Lisa and Nate McCarthy, Mountain Health Co-op, Opportunity Bank of Montana, Physician Partners of St. Peter’s Health Foundation, Slate Architecture, St. Peter’s Health Medical Staff leaders, Valley Bank of Helena, Wipfli, Ascent Bank, Bridal Images and Mr. Tux, Emily Bubbers, MD and Matthew Klara, Crowley Fleck Attorneys, Rosslyn and Joseph Duncan, Julie Harris, Helena Motors, Regan and Mark Meredith, Pappas Insulation Co., Pacific Source Health Plans, Estela and Robert Peccia, RHS Consulting Group, SMA Architecture + Design, Luke Soper, Stockman Bank, Tri-County Mechanical & Electrical, University of Utah Health & Huntsman Cancer Institute, and many other generous contributors.
For more information about how you can support St. Peter’s Health Foundation efforts, please visit sphealth.org/foundation.
