By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

LARNED — “An Evening Among the Stars,” charity gala is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Larned Community Center.
The fundraiser is targeted to debut as a premier event to benefit Pawnee Valley Community Hospital. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. A silent auction and live auction will be coordinated by Jim Froetschner, Chris Froetschner and Larry Carr of Carr Auction.
Linda Henderson said the Pawnee Valley Foundation board of trustees approved a proposal for a fundraiser that featured dinner and entertainment. The event sold 276 tickets.
The fundraiser will donate to a $1 million magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine on the Pawnee Valley Foundations wish list.   
The wish list features items beyond the financial means of the hospital. Items on the Wish List are based on improving patient care, advancing quality healthcare and the effect on how many lives the technology would impact.
Magnetic resonance imaging is a medical imaging technique used to visualize internal structures of the body in detail by examining the body’s atoms via magnetic imaging.  
The MRI provides a good contrast between the different soft tissues of the body, which makes it especially useful in imaging the brain, muscles, heart, and cancers compared with other medical imaging techniques.   
Henderson said a 12-member committee has worked on the project since January, ironing out the details.
“I have no doubt that it will be a successful event with lots of surprises for our guests,” Henderson said. “We challenged each element to bring a “wow factor,” to the event.”
The auction items feature a wide variety from festive trips to the usage of hunting dogs.  
The featured entertainment is The Blades, a nine-piece band with horns, keyboard, guitar and percussion. They perform popular tunes from the 1960s through the 1990s.
Loren Banninger is bassist for the Salina-based rock/horn band the Blades.
Banninger said “The Blades” are a nine-piece horn band with an energetic sound. Their catchy pop-rock brand of rhythm and blues makes them right at home at any kind of a venue.
Other band members include:
Drums, Dean Kranzler
Guitar, Greg Boyle
Vocals, Tim Arkebauer
Keyboards, Steve Leuth
Saxophone, David Cooper
Trumpet, Mike Dreier
Trombone, David Koetting
Bass Trombone, C.A.
Ritter
The band’s offerings come from the sounds of powerful groups including Blood Sweat, and Tears, James Brown, Delbert McClinton, Sting, Chicago.
“The Blades’ combination of tradition and an energetic live show make them one of the best bands in the Midwest,” Banninger said. “We have appeared on many stages with  energy and power. We’re an experienced band with a great sound.”
Pawnee Valley’s level of giving features Benefactors, $5,000; Leaders, $2,500; Patrons, $1,000; Partners, $500; Supporters, $250; and Friends, $100.
Cumulative gifts by donors receive recognition on the donor wall featuring designations for Saints, $1 million; Angels, $500,000; Humanitarians, $250,000; Philanthropists, $100,000; Keystones, $50,000, Pillars, $25,000; Cornerstones, $10,000 and Builders, $2,500.