October 15, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, TX – The year was 2006, and the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation was relatively new, having begun in 1997. Jackie Voss Thornton had returned to her hometown to care for her mother a few years earlier and had been selected to serve the Foundation as its second director.
If you know Jackie, you know that she came back to town with tons of energy and a friendly personality, but she also had many years of Dallas area fundraising experience in her arsenal. Seeing how well the annual Lights of Life Christmas tree fundraiser (now known as the Snowflake Campaign) was doing, she thought back to her experiences with the annual balls and galas in the Metroplex.
Jackie recalls, “I thought a gala would be a great way to expand on the Lights of Life campaign’s success and was thinking of how we could expand on that. The Crystal Charity Ball and other Dallas fundraising balls and galas seemed like a way to have a fun event and give money to the hospital (then known as Hopkins County Memorial Hospital and operated by the Hopkins County Hospital District)”.
Sharing some of the early challenges to that idea, Jackie laughed as she recounted how some people were concerned that tickets would cost $100 each, and she planned to serve beer and wine at the event! Nevertheless, the community supported the Gala and loved it.
She also shared fond memories of Mickey Masters Barnett who worked with Jackie as the first volunteer chair. Mickey and Jackie designed the stylized tree logo that local citizens all associate with the Foundation Gala and the Lights of Life Campaign.
The first two events were held in December 2006 and 2007 at the Lodge. The successful community response necessitated a move to the Civic Center for the third Gala. It was also moved from December to January. This meant there was no Gala held in the calendar year 2008, but the January 2009 event filled the Civic Center’s exhibit hall.
Wanda Galyean served as the volunteer chair for the second Gala, Peggy and Dr. Bill Dietze chaired the third, and Pam and Tom Sellers chaired the fourth.
“The whole thing was a God thing. I asked ladies from my Church and Pilot Club to help us with the committee, and I asked everyone in town to sponsor. I asked everybody and anybody to help,” shared Jackie.
She saw herself in the cheerleader role, asking committee members to lean into their strong suits with their Gala volunteer contributions. She let them do their thing while she shared the importance of the Gala with the community.
“If someone asked why we needed to raise money for the hospital, I told them it was because we wanted to keep the hospital here. We need the hospital here and ready to help them when they need it,” shared Jackie with as much enthusiasm today as she had in 2006.
“Everybody’s heart is to make a difference for someone else today or in the community. The Gala allows them to see tangible results of their donations and efforts.”
Jackie expressed how those who have followed her in the staff role with the Foundation have continued to add and strengthen the Gala and Foundation. She was happy to know about the event’s longevity and to learn about its positive impact on Hopkins County’s healthcare, which has included funding 35 projects that cost over $3.3 million.
The 20th Gala will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with the theme, A Celebration of Twenty Years. Proceeds will be used to advance local medical offerings with $250,000 going to the Spreading Our Wings campaign to help purchase new medical equipment for the surgical wing expansion at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
A few special throwback moments are in the works to celebrate the people and outcomes of two decades of the Gala. Jackie has made plans to be there and hopes to see lots of folks from past Galas in attendance. She is also excited to meet some new community members as well!
The Hopkins County Heath Care Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. In addition to funding its own free clinics and educational programs, the Foundation also raises money for special projects at the local non-profit hospital, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, and the State special district, the Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS. The funds are used by these two entities to purchase equipment or provide services that a community the size of Hopkins County would not normally have available. The Foundation does this because they believe each and every community member deserves great local health care.
For more information on the Gala, visit the website at Gala2026.Givesmart.com.
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The Foundation will celebrate its next Gala, A Celebration of Twenty Years, on January 24, 2026. Sponsorships, underwriting, and ticket information are available at Gala2026.GiveSmart.com. Please join the Foundation as they continue to improve local healthcare opportunities.
