The annual “Touro Infirmary Foundation Gala” honored Allan Bissinger as the 2018 Judah Touro Society Award recipient. The gala was cocktail event and featured a Patron Party, seated dinner, award ceremony and After Party reception geared towards Touro Tomorrow, the Touro Foundation’s young professionals group and Touro Employees. Funds raised at the gala were designated for use to improve Women’s Services and the Family Birthing Center at Touro.
Vintage Las Vegas was the theme of this year’s gala, and included the tagline “Touro, Baby” as a nod to the fundraising initiative for this year’s event, as well as “Celebrating a Game Changer.” In that theme, the atmosphere included an Elvis impersonator, Vegas-style fan girls and gaming tables.
The Patron Party, which preceded the gala festivities, was held in the Mansion Room and upstairs space overlooking the Mississippi River at Mardi Gras World. Passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were served.
The evening included live musical entertainment by Little Coquette Jazz Band. A menu provided by 1718 Catering featured a salad course, entree options of red fish or bavette of beer and a dessert of Mississippi Mud Pie.
The After Party featured a Speakeasy theme, which included Roaring 1920s decor such as a bourbon barrel table, velvet antique lounge furniture and mug shots of famous Prohibition Era personalities. DJ Twiggy played festive music into the night. The party also featured signature cocktails created by the staff members of Touro Employees in a competition for additional donations to their service line. Additionally, guests could pose in a photo booth with props and participate in casino games for a chance to win raffle prizes. The Grand Prize was a trip to Las Vegas, which included a hotel stay, dinner, a Las Vegas show and an airfare voucher.
Event at a Glance
What: “Touro Infirmary Foundation Gala,” benefiting Touro Infirmary Foundation
When: Saturday, November 10
Where: Mardi Gras World
Stephen Kupperman, Nancy Timm, Joy Braun and Tom Oelsner
Brook Bissinger, Paul Du Treil and Nicole Miles
