November 3, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, TX – The 20th Gala offered by the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is slated for January 24, 2026. The night will feature all the excitement of auctions, contests, and dancing, all for the purpose of raising money to invest in Hopkins County healthcare.
Since 2006 the Gala has been an incredibly fun event to which the public is invited to participate. One person who is an expert on fun and serves as a Board member for the Foundation is Don Sapaugh – a man of many talents. He is a banker by day; auctioneer when needed; and arbiter of fun.
Sapaugh shared a bit about some of his favorite fun Gala moments through the years. The first one deals with his good friend, John Sellers. John and Craig Roberts always lead the heads and tails game, with John tossing the coin to determine if heads or tails won. Often, John’s coin soars above the decorations floating over the dance floors. Sometimes the coin is even known to get caught in a fabric swag, which happened in 2022. The crowd and John’s reactions to these unexpected moments can be amusing.
Other enjoyable Gala moments experienced by Sapaugh include listening to Johnny Lee perform live at the 2014 Gala, dancing to some of the latest songs such as the Whip and Nae Nae, and participating in the chaos of the live auction each year.
Sapaugh shared more thoughts on the Gala, “The Gala has been a lot of fun over the past 19 years, and it will continue to be a wonderful experience. What is the most fun is the fact that the Gala raises money for local healthcare. That money has funded some of the most important medical equipment in our county….equipment that saves and improves lives. That is what really brings me joy from the Gala.”
The 2026 Gala is chaired by a committee of the Foundation Board of Directors, on which Sapaugh volunteered. He has been an active participant in the Gala since its inception.
Don’t miss the fun at A Celebration of Twenty Years Gala. Get your tickets now at Gala2026.GiveSmart.com.
The Foundation is an IRS 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization led by a board of fifteen Hopkins County residents.
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Mystery solved! The year 2016 was the height of the Whip and Nae Nae dance craze. Don is showing how it is done.
In all seriousness, please join the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation on January 24, 2026, for the 20th annual Gala raising money for new medical equipment for the surgical wing expansion at CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Sulphur Springs. Sponsorships and tickets are available at Gala2026.GiveSmart.com.
To get your tickets or sponsor the 2026 Gala, visit Gala2026.GiveSmart.com or call the Foundation at 903-438-4799.
