The community is showing its support for the Emergency Center planned for Queen Anne’s County by sponsoring the fundraising Gala scheduled for Saturday, May 9. “Flying into a New ERa of Emergency Care” is being sponsored by individuals and businesses who appreciate the need for this center, which is being built through a partnership between Shore Health System, the University of Maryland Medical System and the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners.

Reflecting the aviation theme of the dinner dance, sponsors have pledged their support at levels that correspond to classes of air travel. Eastern Shore Emergency Medicine Physicians, LLC, has reserved a seat at the Gala as First Class sponsors. Business Class sponsors are Sharon Dobson of Priceless Industries, Shore Health System and the University of Maryland Medical System.

Coach sponsors are KPMG, Queenstown Bank, Centreville Bank, Hord Coplan Macht, Inc., Pete Pappas & Sons, Inc., and Kelly Distributors. Stand-By sponsors are Blue Heron Mailing Services, Inc., GL Design, Inc., Sen. & Mrs. Edward J. Pipkin, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Deoudes, Sydney G. & Janie Ashley, Sydney C. Ashley & Kevin Colbeck and Jenna Ashley.

The Queen Anne’s Emergency Services Center, which is scheduled to open in 2010 at Nesbit Road and Route 50 near Grasonville, will operate 24 hours, every day and will provide the same caliber of emergency medical care available in a hospital emergency department. This facility will be the only such center in Queen Anne’s County and on the Eastern Shore and one of only three in Maryland.

The Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club in Stevensville. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the popular dance band Bobby and the Believers.

Tickets are $175. To reserve your tickets and find out how your organization can become a sponsor for the Gala Celebration to benefit the Queen Anne’s Emergency Center, call 410-822-1000, ext. 5481.