Fundraiser set for Jacksonville Olympic Center
Nan Travis Foundation to hold spring gala
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

Jacksonville will soon be home to the new East Texas Medical Center (ETMC) Olympic Center when the Nan Travis Foundation successfully raises the funds, said Karen Adams of the Nan Travis Foundation.

Ms. Adams said the Olympic Center will be the project of this spring's Gala, which will be themed "Midnight at the Oasis."

"A show-band, called 'Zero 2 60' will perform," Ms. Adams said. "There will be dinner, dancing and a silent auction."

Ms. Adams said there will also be a giveaway for a new 2007 Ford F150 from Bill McRae Ford in Jacksonville.

"Tickets are $100 (for the drawing) and only 300 tickets will be sold," she said. "Tickets will go on sale this week."

The Gala is sponsored by the Nan Travis Foundation, which raises funds for ETMC-Jacksonville. The funds are then used for capital campaigns and building improvements.

Past projects by the foundation include renovation of the Women's Care Center, renovations to the hospital chapel at ETMC-Jacksonville, the new Intensive Care Unit and the new Emergency Care unit, which is currently under construction.

Ms. Adams said the Nan Travis Foundation was in place even before the hospital became affiliated with ETMC. She said that Jacksonville and Tyler are the only two cities in the ETMC with foundations supporting them.

As for the Olympic Center, Ms. Adams said the project was started in 2004 and is the largest capital campaign undertaken by the foundation.

The goal is to raise $1 million. With ETMC matching funds, the foundation would have to raise $500,000.

Ms. Adams said the Olympic Center will be a physical fitness and outpatient rehab facility, which will be built across the street from the Jacksonville Professional Building, where the former Christian Life Center of Central Baptist Church is located.

She said the facility will include exercise equipment, an indoor pool and will be staffed with credentialed and qualified instructors and trainers.

The Gala will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at the Cherokee County Showbarn.