2015 Bloom Gala raises over $172,000 for uncompensated care at ICHS clinics

Shoreline Deputy Mayor Chris Eggen raises his paddle
to donate to the ICHS uncompensated care program

Needy patients were the big winners as the 2015 Bloom Gala raised over $172,000 for uncompensated care provided by  the medical and dental clinics of International Community Health Services (ICHS).

More than 400 supporters and friends of ICHS participated in the 42nd anniversary gala, held May 8 at the Westin Seattle Hotel, which made for a memorable evening of celebration for the work and achievements of one of the leading community health centers in the state.

Donors raised over $172,000 at the ICHS Gala

ICHS has clinics in the Chinatown / International District neighborhood, Holly Park / South Seattle, Bellevue, and Shoreline, and locations at Seattle World School and at Asian Counseling and  Referral Service, and a Mobile Dental Clinic. In 2014, ICHS served more than 21,000 patients and spent nearly $1 million in charity care.

"We are grateful for the support of our friends in making the 2015 Bloom Gala a big success," said Ron Chew, executive director of ICHS Foundation. "In these times when our health care environment is rapidly changing,  it's more important than ever for ICHS to be able to offer a health care safety net for many of our patients. We can only do that with generous help from our donors and friends."

He also thanked the dozens of volunteers, sponsors, guests, table captains, and gala planning committee members, who worked tirelessly over several months to stage the event.

Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci and Shoreline Deputy Mayor Chris Eggen expressed pride and appreciation for ICHS' presence in their respective cities, and called for stronger partnerships with ICHS to reach even more patients within their communities.