Diamond big prize at Mercy Gala

John Bartelsmeyer displays the diamond he has donated to this year's Mercy Health Center Capture the Spirit Gala. The diamond, worth $2,000, will be given away in a raffle at the fundrasing event Aug. 25. Tribune photo/Rayma Silvers

The 18th Annual Capture the Spirit Gala, sponsored by Mercy Health Center and scheduled for Aug. 25, will prove to be extravagant in style.

Following the "James Bond 007" theme, the evening is sure to be full of elegance and grace. The scene will be set with exotic cars, diamonds and poise. Among the exotic cars on display will be a 1978 Silver Shadow Rolls Royce donated by Tom Rost, a Topeka attorney who has attended the Gala for several years. The Rolls Royce will be auctioned off to benefit the Mercy Foundation. Sealed bids for the car can be submitted through Aug. 25. All bids must be above $22,000, a written statement provided to The Fort Scott Tribune said.

In addition to the Rolls Royce auction, the Gala will feature another special fundraiser the night of the event. As Gala participants enter the gathering, they will have an opportunity to purchase a deck of cards for $10. Each deck of cards will feature a special number. Later that night, Gala organizers will spin a large wheel numbered one to 298, committee member Kale Nelson said.

The guest who purchased the deck of cards with the corresponding number will win one of three prizes, which include a Perrier Jouet Champagne gift pack, an overnight getaway vacation and a diamond worth $2,000, which will be set in a pendant. The diamond has been donated by Bartelsmeyer Jewelry owner John Bartelsmeyer. This is the second time that Bartelsmeyer has donated a diamond to the Gala fundraiser. The first diamond donation was in 2004, Bartelsmeyer said.

This special fundraiser has been a success in past years. Event attendees had the opportunity to win a big bottle of Italian wine in 2003, a trip to Las Vegas, Nev., in 2005, and a trip to San Antonio, Texas in 2006, Nelson said.

All proceeds from the special fundraiser will be used to purchase much needed equipment for Mercy Health Center that will benefit the community of Fort Scott and surrounding areas.

The Gala is open to anyone who would like to attend, but there is a limited number of seats available. For more information on attending the Gala, call Mercy Health Center Development Director Carla Farmer at (620) 223-7026.