WESTFIELD – As the 52nd Annual Baystate Noble Ball will be taking place at the MassMutual Center in Springfield this fall, the co-chairs of the Noble Ball committee have been announced.
Two families who run businesses right here in Westfield will be representing as co-chairs at this year’s ball. Ali Salehi and his wife Mandana are on the chair as Ali is the President of Columbia Manufacturing in Westfield. Nabil Hannoush and his wife Julie will be joining the Salehi family. The Hannoush’s own Expert Fitness Health Club, Shorstop Bar & Grille, as well as Extra Innings Westfield.
Having worked on committees for the Noble Ball in the past, both families are glad to help represent such a positive event that helps the community of Westfield.
Julie & Nabil Hannoush, co-chairs of the 2016 Baystate Noble Ball (WNG file photo).
“Julie and I are honored to be chairs with the Salehi’s this year at the Noble Ball,” said Nabil Hannoush. “We want to show our support that even with the merger, things move forward.”
As Baystate Health and Noble Hospital have indeed merged, the co-chairs want to focus on showing the community that the merge is a good step forward for Noble Hospital.
“This is actually better for the community, it’s better for the local hospital,” said Nabil Hannoush.
This year, Noble Hospital is looking to make a significant upgrade to the exterior of the hospital, right outside the front entrance. In the past, the front entrance has had issues with being handicap accessible and the fundraising from this year’s ball will go towards having a new upgrade to the front entrance that will make it much more handicap accessible for those visiting the hospital that will be in need of it.
Being honored to chair this year’s ball, both families were quick to give recognition to those who have helped pave the way towards success.
Mary O’Neil was the Vice President of Development and Community Relations at Noble Hospital from 1993 thru 2006. Allison Gearing-Kalill, who held that same position after O’Neil, has been another key contributor to helping make the Noble Ball successful.
“Mary O’Neil who was the Vice President of Community Development before Alison, really got the thing rolling and upgraded it,” said Ali Salehi. “Then Alison brought it to a new level.”
The chairs are proud of the people before them and how they have laid the foundation for Noble Hospital and the ball as well.
“In order to keep maintaining what’s going on, we need to acknowledge all of the hard work before,” said Mandana Salehi.
Mandana & Ali Salehi, co-chairs of the 2016 Baystate Noble Ball (WNG file photo).
All four chairs for this year were also proud to list a few of the doctors who they personally received care from.
Dr. Stanley Strzempko, Dr. Brian Sutton, and Dr. David Peterson are just a few of the doctors at Baystate Noble Hospital who the Hannoush and Salehi families feel very confident with in representing the hospital in their community that so many people use in time of need.
“You know you have doctors here that will take care of you,” said Ali Salehi. “I’d put any of these doctors with any of the best doctors anywhere in the world, they are top notch.”
Fully supporting the local hospital that has always been there for them and the past contributors who have helped create the Noble Ball, both families have the same common goal.
The Hannoush’s and Salehi’s noted that the funds raised will stay local in the community of Westfield and directly affect Baystate Noble Hospital in a positive manner. The handicap accessibility upgrade on the front entrance will be a direct symbol of the money being raised staying at the hospital.
“That’s very important to us,” said Julie Hannoush. “Our heart is in Westfield.”
When the October 29th Noble Ball tales place at the MassMutual Center, the chairs of the committee will be raising money for a tremendous upgrade to their favorite hospital. But, it’s more than that. Being able to help Noble Hospital get stronger is critical for both families and they understand the strong relationship that the hospital and the Westfield community have built through the years.
“Noble has been the community hospital and is the community hospital,” said Ali Salehi. “Westfield needs Noble and Noble needs Westfield.”
