6/4/2021
ARCADIA, Calif. (June 4, 2021) - The 26th annual Mardi Gras fundraiser
was held on May 15 and raised more than $112,000 for USC Arcadia Hospital
of Southern California. This year's Mardi Gras was staged as a fun-filled
drive-thru food fest event at the Hale Medical Building Parking Lot to
keep attendees safe while obeying COVID-19 restrictions on community gatherings.
The drive-thru event featured food from local restaurants including The
Derby World Famous Steakhouse, Matt Denny’s Ale House and Restaurant,
Max’s Mexican Cuisine, USC Arcadia Hospital & Sodexo, Phoenix
Food and Dessert, and Red Lobster. This unique fundraiser was successful
thanks to multiple event sponsors including the two top “Mardi Gras”
level sponsors: DeWitt Family Foundation and Foothill Infectious Disease
Medical Group for their generous support.
Proceeds from the Mardi Gras Food Fest 2021 celebration will go toward
the purchase of a state-of-the-art, 320-slice CT Scanner to expand Methodist
Hospital’s ability to quickly diagnose and treat heart and stroke
patients, as well as a variety of non-emergent conditions.
Infectious disease specialist Hua Jiang, MD, reined over this event as
Honorary King of Mardi Gras. He was recognized for going well above the
call of duty during the past year as one of the hospital’s leading
physicians treating COVID-19 patients. In addition, Dr. Jiang helped educate
the community on COVID-19 through numerous lectures and TV and print news
interviews.
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Mardi Gras committee members Dr. Dino Clarizio and his wife, Hope, and
Jenna Clarizio join in the fun.
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Mardi Gras King Hua Jiang, MD, leads the parade as guests in their vehicles
cheered and honked their horns in celebration.
“We extend our sincere appreciate to all our event sponsors, restaurant
sponsors, and all supporters for their participation in this year’s
unique fundraiser,” said USC Arcadia Hospital Foundation President,
Mike Driebe.” Although the event was not held in its typical festive
format, we were thrilled to welcome our community of supporters who showed
up in their Mardi Gras best and helped keep this 26 year tradition going
on behalf of USC Arcadia Hospital.”
An additional unique element to this year’s beads and boas celebration
included a virtual event featuring the king’s speech and other guest
appearances. To view the virtual event and for additional Mardi Gras festivities visit
www.mardigrasfoodfest.org or call USC Arcadia Hospital Foundation at 626.898.8888.
We hope to have the opportunity to celebrate in person in the coming year
and we invite you to save the date for next year’s Mardi Gras Food
Fest to be held on March 1, 2022.
Media Contact:
Brian Greene, 626-354-1484
Brian.Greene@methodisthospital.org