After the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center canceled its signature fundraising event last year, development director Jim Cunningham said the staff was anxious about the response this year.

His fears were dashed when registrations for Signature Sensations sold out, and the 200 people in attendance raised the organization a record-breaking sum of more than $94,000.

The highest amount reached before this year is $76,000 in 2019, which was the last time Signature Sensations was held due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We were nervous people wouldn't show up, but they did,” Cunningham said. “Our annual operating budget is like half-a-million dollars. That money is funded totally with special events and gifts.”

According to Cunningham, Signature Sensations is the center's signature fundraiser, which it hosts every November, with the exception of 2020. Six restaurants and vendors served a multicourse dinner at the Butler Country Club Nov. 6, and Cunningham said they all donated their time and food to the event.

Cunningham said the event raised about $75,000 at its last Signature Sensations.

The success of the event this year has Cunningham already anticipating next year.

“Every restaurant, vendor and person who spoke to me said 'Count us in for next year,'” Cunningham said.

The Jean B. Purvis center does not charge patients for services, and operates completely on fundraising and gifts. Cunningham said the center provides primary care, behavioral health and wellness services, as well as dental care for veterans, and a new optometry program is on the horizon.

Because the center operates on a limited budget every year, Cunningham said charity is vital to its mission.

“There is only one full-time person who works at the clinic, and nine part-time employees. The rest are volunteer doctors or nurses,” Cunningham said. “We are getting pretty busy over here.”