Clay Walker to Perform at Foundation Gala

Grab your boots and cowboy hats for a foot-stompin’ good time at the Antelope Valley Medical Center Foundation’s annual gala Sept. 15 at Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center. Themed "Lights, Music, Boots and Bling," the gala will feature entertainment by country music star Clay Walker, dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. All proceeds benefit the Antelope Valley Medical Center emergency and mental health departments. For a limited time, tickets are $100 and VIP tickets are $225 each prior to Sept. 1, $250 each thereafter. Tickets can be purchased online at AVMC.org/events or by calling 661-949-5810.

Clay Walker is an award-winning country music artist with a heart for charity work. Over the last 25 years, Walker has released 11 albums, including four platinum and two gold-selling albums. He founded Band Against MS and has been actively raising money to fight multiple sclerosis since he was diagnosed in 1996. He also co-founded Military Warriors Support Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes to wounded heroes injured during combat in Iraq or Afghanistan.

AV Hospital has the third busiest emergency department in California, seeing upwards of 130,000 patients each year. The hospital also has the only trauma center within 50 miles, which treats approximately 1,300 patients annually.

Opened in 1971, the hospital’s mental health unit is the only inpatient facility of its kind in the Antelope Valley. An expert team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, therapists, mental health technicians and clinical social workers provide compassionate and comprehensive care.

"After 10 years of being held outside of the Antelope Valley, the hospital foundation’s gala is returning home. We are thrilled to focus our efforts on homegrown fundraising to help our hospital in two significant areas of need: emergency and mental health departments," said Johnny Zamrzla, chairman of the foundation board. "We are grateful for the community’s support in lassoing-up funds for these critical services, which helps improve the hospital and by extension, patient’s lives."

In addition to the gala, the hospital’s foundation is selling tickets for an opportunity drawing to win a 2018 Ram Truck 1500 Crew Cab Express or $12,000 cash. Second prize is $2,000, and third prize is $1,000. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Each ticket is $100.