FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – An afternoon of elegance, compassion, and community spirit came together in extraordinary fashion on Monday, March 30, as local women gathered at the Hammock Dunes Club for a stunning fashion show and luncheon benefitting the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation.
Hosted by Peggy Wald and a dedicated team of volunteers and friends, the event welcomed attendees from across the Hammock, the Grand Haven Woman’s Club, and the broader Flagler County community—each united by a shared commitment to uplifting others through better healthcare.
The clubhouse was transformed into a breathtaking runway setting, where style met purpose. Fashions provided by Pepper’s Boutique dazzled the crowd, while cancer survivors courageously and proudly walked the runway, drawing heartfelt applause and emotional admiration from the audience.
At the heart of the afternoon was a powerful message of gratitude and progress delivered by Denyse Bales-Chubb, President and CEO of AdventHealth Palm Coast.
“When I look across the room, I see partners, advocates, and champions for better healthcare,” she shared. “Because of your support, this is a remarkable year for our hospitals.”
She highlighted significant milestones, including national accreditations that affirm the highest standards of quality, safety, and clinical excellence.
“These recognitions represent more than words… They affirm that the care our patients receive every day meets the rigorous benchmarks of national standards.”
Bales-Chubb also spoke about the hospital’s continued growth and innovation, from recruiting talented specialists to advancing surgical technology.
“We are also advancing the way we deliver care through robotic-assisted surgery. This technology allows our surgeons to perform procedures with greater precision, smaller incisions, faster recovery times, and better outcomes for our patients.”
She reflected on the impact of the Freytag Cancer Center, which has already transformed countless lives in its first year.
“Over 6,800 treatments delivered… and 279 patients rang the bell, celebrating the end of cancer.”
Her message underscored the vital role of community support.
“When you support the foundation, you are not just supporting a hospital. You are supporting healing. You are supporting innovation. And most importantly, you are supporting hope.”
The program also featured remarks from Foundation Chair Ellie Lenkevich, Executive Director John Subers, and general surgeon Dr. Jessica Marshall, each reinforcing the importance of advancing local healthcare resources.
Thanks to the generosity in the room, the event raised more than $28,500 to support the purchase of a SOZO machine—an innovative tool that enables early detection of lymphedema, improving outcomes and quality of life for patients in Flagler County.
Pam Bolter, Development Officer for the Foundation, praised the extraordinary effort behind the event.
“Peggy Wald and her team did such an amazing, over-the-top, incredibly beautiful job in ‘dressing’ the Hammock Dunes Clubhouse—no detail was overlooked! Numerous attendees remarked that this was the most impressive event Flagler County has ever seen.”
She added, “Our AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation is deeply grateful and humbled… not only by Peggy and her team’s talent, generosity, and dedication, but also by the support shown by so many engaged women in our community. Today’s event generated over $28,500 to support the purchase of the SOZO machine, allowing Flagler County residents better access to early lymphedema detection.”
Beyond the glamour and generosity, the luncheon served as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together with purpose. Through compassion, collaboration, and a shared vision for better healthcare, these women are helping ensure that hope, healing, and advanced care remain close to home.
