18th Annual Heart Ball: Through the Looking Glass

Photo by Racheal Baker Photography

An evening supporting surgical upgrades at Bonner General Health

By Like Media Team

On February 21, 2026, the 18th Annual Heart Ball returns as one of the most meaningful nights on the local calendar. The evening brings together celebration, purpose, and community commitment, all in support of critical surgical upgrades at Bonner General Health. Hosted by the Bonner General Health Foundation, the Heart Ball has become a defining nonprofit event, reflecting both the generosity and the priorities of the community it serves.

What began nearly two decades ago as a creative vision has grown into a tradition that many consider a fixture of the winter season. The original idea, brought to life by Howard and Georgia Simmons with the encouragement and support of former Bonner General Health CEO Sheryl Rickard, focused on supporting the local hospital while creating an event to bring people together. That vision resonated, and over time, it has become a cornerstone fundraiser that consistently sells out and is known for both its impact and celebratory spirit.

Today, guests mark the Heart Ball on their calendars months in advance. For many, it has become an annual date night or a special evening shared with friends and colleagues. It stands out not only for its cause but for its atmosphere. The Heart Ball remains one of the last local events where the evening reliably ends on the dance floor, offering a joyful close to a night rooted in generosity and connection.

As the event enters its 18th year, the Heart Ball reflects both continuity and evolution. While Howard and Georgia Simmons have taken a thoughtful step back this year, they have entrusted the event to a carefully selected committee committed to honoring the heart, intention, and standards that have defined it since the beginning. Their influence remains deeply woven into the event, from its sense of purpose to its attention to detail. The 2026 theme, Through the Looking Glass, carries that spirit forward, offering a sense of familiarity paired with a touch of surprise and wonder.

At the center of this year’s Heart Ball is a cause touching nearly every family in the region: surgical upgrades. Each year, the Heart Ball's focus is selected through collaboration among the Bonner General Health Board of Directors, senior leadership, key stakeholders, and the Foundation Board. The goal is to identify projects that fall outside the hospital’s traditional operating budget while delivering lasting improvements to patient care.

Surgery plays a vital role at Bonner General Health. The hospital’s surgical team performs approximately 3,000 procedures each year. These include emergency surgeries, preventative procedures such as colonoscopies, cataract surgeries, breast cancer treatment, orthopedic procedures, total joint replacements, and spine surgery. Each procedure represents a real person, our friends and neighbors, who rely on having access to safe and effective care close to home.

Proceeds from the 2026 Heart Ball will support essential surgical infrastructure improvements designed to enhance patient safety today and prepare the hospital for future growth. The primary project is an upgrade to the surgical air handler system. This system delivers consistent, temperature-controlled airflow in the operating rooms and plays a critical role in maintaining a clean surgical environment, significantly reducing the risk of surgical site infections.

Beyond its immediate benefits, this improvement establishes a foundation for future expansion and advanced technology, including the potential for robotic surgical capabilities. It is an investment that looks ahead while addressing current needs. If funding allows, additional improvements may include updates to pre-operative and post-operative spaces. These enhancements are intended to create environments that feel more modern, private, and comfortable for patients and their families during important and often stressful moments.

The vision for the 2026 Heart Ball has also been shaped by reflection on past events. Feedback from guests, sponsors, and volunteers is taken seriously and used to refine the experience each year. Volunteers play a central role in shaping the event. Nearly 50 individuals donate their time to transform the fairgrounds into an elegant venue, guide guests throughout the evening, and restore the space afterward. Their perspective helps improve everything from event flow to logistics, and their commitment is essential to the Heart Ball’s success.

For those attending the Heart Ball for the first time, the experience is designed to feel both welcoming and impressive. Guests arrive to find a familiar space transformed into a setting filled with warmth, creativity, and intention. It is one of the few nights in town that invites formal cocktail attire, with a practical local note. Boots are encouraged for navigating the grounds, with heels in hand until inside.

The evening begins with thoughtful touches reflecting community involvement at every level. Local Sandpoint High School HOSA students greet guests at coat check, assisting with coats and boots, and adding a meaningful element of youth participation. Bonner General Health CEO John Hennessy and CFO Skyler Twidt welcome attendees with a glass of champagne, setting the tone for a smooth check-in and a lively cocktail hour filled with conversation and connection.

As the night continues, guests enjoy dinner, participate in a live auction featuring standout packages, and sample locally crafted desserts. Throughout the evening, stories shared from the stage connect the celebration back to its purpose, reminding guests why their presence and support matter. The night concludes with dancing, a hallmark of the Heart Ball and a fitting end to an evening defined by generosity and joy.

What continues to inspire people to return year after year is not only the experience but the shared belief behind it. In a rural community, access to quality healthcare is deeply personal. Nearly everyone has faced a moment when they or someone they love needed medical care close to home. The Heart Ball represents a collective commitment to ensuring that care remains available, safe, and advanced. Donors, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees come together out of a shared sense of responsibility and pride in supporting their community hospital.

For the Heart Ball committee, Brittany Jacobson, Kathryn Merkeley, Casey McLaughlin, Kathy Marietta, Heather Upton, and Kate McAlister, the event carries both meaning and responsibility. Months of planning go into crafting an evening that feels intentional and seamless while honoring the cause it supports. They are joined by Foundation board members, Bonner General Health staff, and dedicated volunteers, each contributing their time and expertise toward a common goal.

When the final song plays and the evening comes to a close, the hope for the 18th Annual Heart Ball extends beyond the funds raised. The goal is that guests leave feeling connected and inspired to continue supporting their community. The Heart Ball serves as a reminder that sustaining local healthcare is a shared effort, shaped by many individuals working together with care and intention.

As the Heart Ball enters its 18th year, it stands as a reflection of what is possible when a community comes together around a common purpose. It honors the vision it created, responds to today's needs, and invests in the future of healthcare close to home.

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