Silver Oak donates $100,000 to hospital auxiliary at car show

Saturday's '50s-style fund-raiser for the Carson-Tahoe Hospital Auxiliary brought in some 2004 money with a $100,000 donation from Garth Richards and the Silver Oak Development Co. The money will be used to build the Carson-Tahoe Regional Cancer Center.

The auxiliary has pledged to donate $250,000 over five years to the center and holds events throughout the year to raise its annual pledge of $50,000.

The event, complete with an Elvis impersonator, was held at the home of Garth and Joanie Richards, who allowed their collection of about 200 rare and classic cars to be viewed by the public.

President Jeanne Ramirez said 300 to 400 attended Saturday's event. Last year's car show earned the group $11,000.

Ramirez said the specific uses for the Silver Oak Donation will be made by a vote of the auxiliary, but that it will be passed on to the cancer center.

"It was a surprise to all of us," she said. "I didn't know until he gave us the check how much it would be. It kind of took us all by surprise."

Ramirez said the auxiliary has donated $1.4 million to the hospital since its beginnings in the 1950s when members donated items such as bedding.

The group's largest fund-raiser is its annual cowboy poetry show, the next of which is set for winter 2005.

The cancer center is expected to cost $13.1 million. The building will house a range of services, from radiation and chemotherapy treatment to support groups. The Hospital's Resource Center, alternative therapy options and clinical trials will all be under one roof.

A Ground Dedication Celebration is set for 6-8 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Cancer Center site off Eagle Valley Road. The special celebration includes light appetizers and ground dedication ceremony. Call 885-4631 for information.