Grateful. That's the word that sums up how we feel about the success experienced at Cirque du SoLake on Thursday, Aug. 22.

From feeling appreciative to all those giving souls who took the time and spent the effort to be there and help in so many meaningful ways, to feeling almost overwhelmed with thanks at the show of generosity from our sponsors and our bidders, to a general sense of wonder at all those who turned out, turned it on, and came with open hearts, minds, and yes, wallets.

Over 150 people came out to support the hospital and enjoy some circus-themed entertainment while bidding in a live and silent auction and helping themselves to assorted refreshments.

It appears that our community is responding enthusiastically to improvements taking place at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake (SHCL), as over $54,000 was raised to top off our Building for the Future: Emergency Department Expansion Campaign.

Beth Havrilla, owner of Lake Event Design, did an absolutely extraordinary job getting our colorful “big top” look just right. Twin Pine Casino & Hotel’s Event Center staff was extremely accommodating through the entire process, and Tina Chiotti lent a spectacular a spectacular flower arrangement from Middletown Florist & Gifts that went perfectly with our “cirque” theme.

Our emcee, Tony Barthel, and auctioneer, Donnie Schwartz, rivaled the entertainers from Picklewater Circus for amusement points.

Special guest of the evening, Jim Robello, was honored for his instrumental role in the SHCL Campaign Cabinet. Overall, we couldn’t be more pleased.

Our sponsors included the following: Brassfield Estate Winery, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Lionakis, REACH Air Medical Services, Coyote Valley Pharmacy, Verihealth, California Medical Group, Burns Valley Mall, Lake Event Design, CALSTAR, Dr. Bruce Anderson, Helmer & Sons, Josette Brault, Mendo Mill & Lumber Company, Nurses and Professional Healthcare, Pound Management, WestAmerica Bank, Jim Gamble, Advanced Communication Systems, Advanced Electronic Security Systems, CMRE, Credit Bureau Ukiah, Raymond Choy, Redbud Health Care District, Trinchero Family Estates, Pauline Usher, Dr. I. Kim, Xerox, Trane, Lake County Courier, Triage Consulting Group, Action Sanitary and Aggie Berry.

Wine was generously donated by Laujor Estate Winery, Moore Family Winery, Mt. Konocti Winery, Six Sigma Ranch & Vineyard and Vigilance Winery.

Our donors included Angel’s Rockhouse, Bass Fishin’ with Richard, Kim Beller, Lorena Bowers, Brassfield Estate Winery, Laura Buckner, Calistoga Balloons, Ceago Winegarden, Claremont Resort & Spa, Chacewater Wine & Olive Mill, Cobb Mountain Golf Club, Angie and Jeff Conley, Crazy Creek Air Adventures, Cuvaison Winery, Dawson Studios, Dr. Paula Dhanda and John Clarke, Darling Desserts, Disneyland Resort, Edgelight Productions, Gary’s Fabulous Finds, Tammy and Troy Harbison, Hidden Valley Lake Golf Club, Hidden Valley Laser & Skincare, JT Couture, KNBR, Langtry Estate Winery, Laujor Estate Winery, Tom Lincoln, Lee Loban, Steve Lundin, Bill Macdougall, Manzanita Restaurant, Merci Hoskins Yoga, Middletown Florist & Gifts, Middletown Jazzercise, Valerie and Dan Moberg, Napa Valley Balloons, Napa Valley Country Club, Owen Ranch, Joan and Fred Poucher, Park Place Restaurant, Prager Port Works, REACH Air Medical Services, Jim Robello, Smith’s Trout Farm, David and Denise Santos, Saw Shop Restaurant, Sherwin Family Vineyard, Six Sigma Ranch & Vineyards, Ken Stanton, Tallman Hotel, Mike and Jan Thompson, Tea Rose Landscaping, The Bunk House, Thorn Hill Winery, Jen and Jim Totten, Twin Pine Casino & Hotel, US Food Service, Amber Warner, Wildhurst Winery, Steve Williams, Without a Net, Woody’s Café Grill & Pub, Vincent Arroyo Winery, Vista del Lago and 2 Women Traders.

Volunteers Bridget Sholin, Debbie Mulcahy, Heather Mackenzie, Jon Minadeo, Kathy Graydon, Melanie Walker, Michelle Van Hoff, Pat Bright, Peggy Foster, Pete Landini, Sinda Knight and Tammy Harbison were incredible. They were all so professional, anticipating and responding to needs before any issues developed.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to all who helped make Cirque du SoLake a success!

Lee Loban and Melissa Kinsel work in the Development Department of St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake in Clearlake, Calif.