The 2026 Evergreen Gala Silver Soirée, presented by Bellevue Healthcare, celebrated 25 years of community support and major impact with a gathering punctuated by fine dining, a lively auction and even greater giving. Together, guests at this year’s Gala broke our goal and raised $1.65 million to benefit the hospital’s comprehensive services and advanced technology. Please accept our sincere gratitude for your support. The evening kicked off with an opening reception and silent auction where guests bid on carefully curated baskets, rare wines and high-end spirits while enjoying wines and a raw bar on the scenic patio at The SOMM Hotel & Spa. The live program kicked off at 7 p.m. with EvergreenHealth leaders, past and present, taking to the stage to reflect on how the last 25 years of philanthropy built the award-winning hospital we know today. EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD, led a toast with former CEOs Bob Malte and Jeff Tomlin, MD, and presented this year’s Spirit of Giving Award to all the Gala guests and health care champions who have attended our fundraisers over the past 25 years.
“You are the heart of EvergreenHealth,” Dr. Palazzo said in his remarks.
The live program was led by longtime EvergreenHealth partners and champions, auctioneer Matt Lorch, emcee Michelle Millman, with the addition this year of DJ Marco Collins. The program opened with an overview of the menu crafted by The SOMM’s executive chef Maximillian Petty, who also shared an emotional tribute to his late mother, who was a childhood burn victim that went on to become a nurse. This year’s auction was filled with particularly exciting packages. Guests bid on exclusive experiences, including a day spent golfing and dining with EvergreenHealth Chief Medical Officer, Mark Freeborn, MD; a night at the Climate Pledge Arena, watching the Kraken from the Tunnel Suite; a culinary experience led by Chef Max and Chef John Howie, multiple concerts, vacations and more. The donations raised by bids this year benefit comprehensive care at our community-owned hospital. Before the Raise-the-Paddle portion of the event, guests were able to hear from two EvergreenHealth patients who shared their moving health care stories in a video. Oncology patient Kirstin Greig and neurology patient Tom Chirichigno reflected on their care experiences at EvergreenHealth, and how some of the cornerstone technology supported by philanthropy changed their futures for the better. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who showed up for EvergreenHealth at this year’s Gala. We look forward to 25 more years of supporting the exceptional, community-driven care at our local hospital.