“We are all disappointed to miss out on a year of fun and excitement that Denim & Diamonds brings, but the health and safety of our community is our highest priority.”

McKenzie Cinelli
Director of Business Development
Newman Regional Health

Newman Regional Health Announces Plans for Denim & Diamonds 2020

Newman Regional Health announces that their largest annual fundraiser, Denim & Diamonds, has been cancelled this year due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  On April 29, the Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees unanimously approved this recommendation made by hospital administration, Business Development staff, and the Denim & Diamonds committee.

Mike Argabright, Board Chair, stated “the Board recognizes this was a difficult decision for those who have been working so hard on this year’s event but felt it was the right decision to make for our community at this time.”

Denim & Diamonds 2020 was scheduled for Friday, August 7, at 6:00pm at Emporia State University’s Webb Lecture Hall inside the Memorial Union.  The annual fundraiser is Newman Regional Health’s largest public event of the year bringing in over 400 attendees and $107,000 in 2019 through a silent and live auction as well as other featured events.  The cancellation includes all pre-events associated with Denim & Diamonds, such as the Kick-Off BBQ, Cornhole Tournament, and other preliminary events.   

McKenzie Cinelli, Director of Business Development at Newman Regional Health, said the decision to cancel this year’s event leaves an empty space not only for her staff but for the organization as a whole.  “We are all disappointed to miss out on a year of fun and excitement that Denim & Diamonds brings, but the health and safety of our community is our highest priority.  While our participants and attendees won’t be able to take part in any of the features that Denim & Diamonds brings to the community, we know their support for Newman Regional Health is strong.  We are seeing that in so many other ways right now and are forever grateful.”

Funds from this year’s event were designated to supporting the relocation and renovation of Newman Therapy Services bringing them on site to Newman Regional Health, resulting in more convenient care for patients.  Newman Therapy Services provides inpatient and outpatient care in occupational, physical, and speech therapies with highly qualified therapists.  Their goal is to provide the highest quality of care with an emphasis toward individual, personalized service.

Bob Wright, Newman Regional Health CEO, stated, “It is our hope that those in a position to do so will consider maintaining their sponsorship or pledge toward the therapy project this year, as the need for these funds is now greater than ever.  However, we understand the economic impact on our local community members and businesses caused by the COVID emergency has been devastating.”

Over the next couple weeks, Newman Regional Health Business Development staff will begin making direct contact with Denim & Diamonds supporters, including sponsors, donors, volunteers, and all others who make the event possible to announce plans for the 2020 event.  If there are questions about the event, please call Kathryn Martin, Events Coordinator, at (620) 343-6800 x21920.