PINEDALE – The Sublette County Health Foundation (SCHF) exceeded expectations at its inaugural public fundraising event at Stockman’s Saloon and Steakhouse in Pinedale on Wednesday, Aug. 16. Community members and staff from both the Sublette Center and Sublette County Hospital District gathered for “Boots and Scrubs – 100 years in the making,” to enjoy a picnic, corn hole tournament, s’mores and children’s games.

The event raised approximately $17,000 from corporate sponsors and Sublette County residents, said Louann Heydt, a member of the SCHF board who helped organize the fundraiser.

“The event was really a success for our very first fundraiser,” Heydt added. “Considering that this was our first event, we learned a lot from trial and error. Everyone on the foundation board was happy with the results. It was a fun event and everyone enjoyed it.”

Corporate sponsors included Stockman’s, Jackson Fork Ranch, Tegeler and Associates, Star Valley Health, Layton Construction, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Davis Partnership Architects, Jorgensen Associates, FMG and Wind River Brewing Company.

Heydt singled out Buck Buckenroth and Misty McGowen of Stockman’s for their “amazing generosity” in opening their facilities for the fundraiser and donating food and staff. She also thanked SCHF board member Joan Mitchell for organizing the corn hole tournament, children’s activities and building the table centerpieces. Heydt expressed gratitude to Kari DeWitt, SCHF director, for her efforts to organize the corporate sponsors.

All proceeds from the event go toward meeting the SCHF’s mission to bring the critical-access hospital and new Sublette Center project to fruition, said Heydt, including purchasing medical equipment for operating studios and MRI imaging.