The St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation recently held the Inaugural Hospital Gala at the Ritz Carlton Lodge on Saturday, Feb. 15. All the proceeds from the fundraiser, which was a dinner, dance and auction, went to the hospital foundation’s capital campaign.  

Owners of The Oconee Cellar, Matt and Daniela Garofalo, teamed up with Matt’s mother Marie Garofalo and put up a fine wine and food pairing for 20 people in the live auction segment of the event.  

“For years I have always tried to support the building of a new hospital at Lake Oconee. I am a true believer that St. Mary’s has added another important piece to this community that will allow the Lake Country to flourish for years to come. When I was asked by organizers Ted and Riezel Baker if I was willing to give them a live auction item, I knew that this type of Wine & Food pairing was very popular,” said Matt Garofalo. Not only was this a very popular item at the live auction, it was the top grossing item auctioned off that night!  “I was so happy to see that some of my longtime supporters of The Oconee Cellar won the bid after the bidding went up over $6,000. It is going to be a special night for them full of some of the greatest wines paired with my Mom’s deliciously home-made cuisine. I just want to say thank you to them on behalf of my wife and me and St. Mary’s for their generous donation to such a great cause,” said Matt.