Naming the Enumclaw-area hospital St. Elizabeth’s has spurred one group of community members into action.

Friends of Elizabeth Crews are organizing a fundraising dinner and art auction Nov. 14 to honor her and benefit St. Elizabeth Hospital.

“We are seeking to keep the memory of this wonderful young lady alive, and to work on her behalf on a project we are certain she would have cared about – helping the new hospital flourish and serve the people in Enumclaw in need of medical services,” family friend Edward Hechter.

The fundraiser is the idea of friends of the Crews family, and is made possible by the generous contributions of Debra and Jeff Schweter, owners of the Rainier Bar and Grill, and Lisa and Edward Hechter, owners of PartyPail.com, who are co-hosting the event.

“The community is going to benefit greatly from the new hospital here in Enumclaw,” Hechter said on behalf of the group. “In her short life, Elizabeth, or Beth to her friends and family, worked on behalf of many local charities and causes.”

Ten-year-old Elizabeth, her mother Brenda and family friend and Enumclaw-based doctor Virgil Becker died when their small plan crashed in August 2009.

“Our goal is to raise $25,000,” Hechter said. “Working in conjunction with the Franciscan Medical Foundation, the benefit dinner will be a night of fun and celebration of Beth. She was a prodigious artist, talented way beyond her years, and her artwork will be prominently displayed at this event. Many of her pieces are being professionally reproduced for this event, and will be auctioned that evening.

“The Franciscan Medical Foundation will be honoring Beth in several ways at the hospital. Their recognition of this young lady will include having a part of the hospital named in her honor, and recognition on the donor board, plus the possible display of her art at the Hospital.”

While the Rainier is locally known for its food, this night the Schweters, and their Executive Chef Joey Butorac, are crafting a gourmet, three-course menu. Drinks, including beer, wine and cocktails, will also be available, with all the proceeds from the dinner and drinks going to the benefit the hospital in Beth’s name.

The gourmet dinner begins at 6 p.m. at Enumclaw’s Rainier Bar and Grill. Tickets range from $100 to $125 and can be purchased through Edward Hechter at 253-217-1059 or Edward@partypail.com. Donations are tax deductible.