The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Gala: A Landmark Event
Sulphur Springs, TX – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Gala is one of those landmark events that has changed the course of Hopkins County philanthropy. What Jackie Thornton and Mickey Masters Barnett did when they, along with a team of volunteers, started the successful event was to prove that a single-night fundraiser could be profitable and manageable, year after year.
The original one-night fundraising event held in Hopkins County was the Cattle Baron’s Ball which benefitted the American Cancer Society. Many Cattle Baron Balls are still held around the country, such as in Dallas and Tyler. Hopkins County held its own Cattle Baron’s Ball in 1999 and 2001. The first such event raised the most money per capita than any other American Cancer Society event. Newspaper reports from the time stated that it took two years to plan. Unfortunately, the Hopkins County Cattle Baron’s Ball was discontinued, but it is still mentioned with a smile from those who participated.
Years later when Jackie Thornton assumed the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation role, she came back to her hometown armed with ideas and experience of Dallas area fundraising events and used that knowledge to create our beloved Gala.
Though much has changed in our society from 1999 and even since 2006, the generosity of Hopkins County citizens and businesses is still unequaled. That is why we can celebrate a twentieth anniversary fundraising event.
Really though, it isn’t the event itself we will recognize on January 24, 2026. It is the individuals who have donated their time, efforts, and money to keep this impactful event going year after year that we will celebrate. Time will not allow for the Foundation to list every donor and volunteer who has given so generously through the years, but it can articulate the fruits of their labors by showcasing the 35 projects funded through the twenty years.
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Early on in the planning, the Foundation publicized that the stars of the 2026 Gala will be the attendees. That is actually how the Foundation feels about every event they offer. The Foundation knows that without the donors, sponsors, and participants, it would not be able to support and impact Hopkins County healthcare as it does. For the Foundation, these businesses and individuals are literally the rock stars who give wind to its sails.
Please join the Foundation on January 24, 2026 as they celebrate this milestone anniversary and take some time to say thank you to the community that has made it all possible. Tickets and other forms of support are detailed on the website, Gala2026.Givesmart.com.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, an IRS 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, provides free clinics, educational programs, and a room full of free breast cancer supplies for the community. In addition, the Foundation sponsors the Hopkins County Breast Cancer Support Group.
Photo 1:
Puttin’ on the Ritz was the theme for the 2013 Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Gala. Event Chairpersons Sheila and Arvis Tanton, in the middle, were joined that evening with their daughters and sons-in-law. On the left are David and Shandra Dunn, and on the right, Sharla and John Campbell.
Funds raised through that Gala allowed for the purchase of a Philips Monitoring System for use at the hospital.
To get your tickets or sponsor the 2026 Gala, visit Gala2026.GiveSmart.com or call the Foundation at 903-438-4799.
Photo 2: The 2017 Gala, themed the Beat Goes On, heralded a major change in Hopkins County healthcare…the passing of the torch from a county owned hospital to a major healthcare system, CHRISTUS. Chairs for the year were Sher and Sam Sevier, photographed here with the then Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Executive Director Meredith Caddell, middle.
The hospital benefitted from the proceeds that year with the donation of two Giraffe Omni Beds and an Alter G Anti-Gravity Treadmill.
Don’t miss out on the 20th anniversary Gala celebration! Help the Foundation save and improve lives through the party with a purpose. Get your tickets at Gala2026.GiveSmart.com.
