Bradley Hospital’s "Putting on the Glitz" 2017 Gala Raises $477,200

On Friday, June 9, Bradley Hospital rolled out the red carpet, welcoming more than 250 friends and supporters to Rhodes on the Pawtuxet for its 2017 Bravo Bradley gala, Putting on the Glitz. Chaired by Dede and Larry Madeira, the signature event for New England’s only psychiatric hospital devoted exclusively to children raised $477,200 to advance its pioneering pediatric mental health care, education, and research.

Of the total raised, the evening’s live auction fund-a-need generated $120,075 to support the launch of an intensive outpatient program for young people struggling with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.

“Everything we do at Bradley is made possible in large part thanks to the unwavering generosity of our donors who are committed to helping our patients and their families live the happiest and healthiest lives possible,” said Daniel J. Wall, president of Bradley Hospital. “That generosity was on full display this evening, with an incredible outpouring of support to help us launch a crucial, unprecedented program in our region.”

As guests arrived, dressed to the nines, they posed for souvenir photos alongside an antique 1941 Plymouth Super Deluxe before walking the red carpet into the event’s opening cocktail reception.

Following remarks from hospital leadership and a grateful Bradley Hospital parent, the program culminated with a moving video that captured a young man’s struggles with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. It chronicled the challenges he and his family faced in seeking treatment, and how Bradley Hospital is uniquely positioned to create a program to treat co-occurring disorders and ensure patients and their families receive the help they need. The emotional moment set the stage for professional auctioneer Paul Zekos of The Zekos Group to present the event’s live auction and fund-a-need.

As Mr. Zekos introduced an exciting assortment of auction items, spirited bidding surrounded each package, with two experiences generating friendly competition among guests. A 7-day Costa Rica adventure for eight to Playa Herradura or Playa Hermosa sold two times over, each for $8,000, while a package of four club seats to an October Patriots game at Gillette Stadium and an autographed Rob Gronkowski jersey sold for $16,000. During the fund-a-need, bid numbers were raised high and often, with a number of guests contributing at the $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 levels in support of the launch of an intensive outpatient program for co-occurring disorders.

After the auction, guests enjoyed a dinner exquisitely prepared by Russell Morin Catering & Events, and danced to the sounds of Good Will and Them Apples.

“As a family who has felt, firsthand, the healing power of Bradley, this jewel of a hospital will always have a special place in our hearts, because what you take from it you carry with you for the rest of your life,” said Dede Madeira, who chaired the event with her husband Larry. “We are so thankful for the generosity of Bradley’s amazing donor community and for their commitment to breaking down the stigma that, sadly, still surrounds mental illness,” added Larry.

Bradley Hospital extends its thanks and appreciation to Putting on the Glitz title sponsors, Susan and David Brown; leadership donor, Amica Companies Foundation; platinum sponsors, AECOM and Transdev, and the more than five dozen sponsors and supporters who contributed generously to the event’s success.