MIDDLEBURY — Nearly 100 people braved frigid temperatures on Feb. 9 to attend Porter Medical Center Auxiliary’s “An Evening for Porter” at Edgewater Gallery at the Falls. The event cleared more than $10,000 in ticket sales and local sponsorships, all of which will be dedicated to investments approved by the Auxiliary board for Porter Medical Center.
The highlight of the event was a raffle drawing for the original Rory Jackson painting, “Point Bay South,” which was generously donated by the Edgewater Gallery and had an appraised value of $1,800. The winner of the painting, Jon Amory of Lincoln, was not in attendance but had a good excuse: just days earlier his wife had delivered the couple’s first child at Porter Medical Center.
“The great story about the raffle winning family underscores how vital the hospital is to the entire Addison County community,” said Anne Collins, president of the Auxiliary.  “All of us on the Auxiliary are excited to work with of our members and supporters, as well as hospital staff and leadership, to help shape the future of the Porter Medical Center.”
The event featured food and drinks courtesy of Two Brothers Tavern, as well as cocktails from Stonecutter Spirits. PMC’s new chief executive, Dr. Fred Kniffin, provided the attendees with an update on hospital business and praised the Auxiliary for ramping up its efforts to connect PMC with the community.
Collins noted that the event provided momentum for the Auxiliary’s current membership drive.  More information on Auxiliary membership can be found on the Porter website.
The Porter Medical Center Auxiliary Board, composed of 20 volunteer community members, sponsors programs and generates financial support for Porter Hospital and Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Founded in 1934, the Auxiliary has raised more than $1 million for various initiatives at Addison County’s hospital, including the contribution of $137,000 last year for a new patient monitoring system for the Medical/Surgical unit.