RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Monument Health Foundation Golden Guitars Gala shattered records on June 13, raising $776,250 in Rapid City to support local children’s healthcare.

The total significantly surpassed the event’s original fundraising goal of $550,000. Proceeds from the annual gala stay in the community, benefiting pediatric medical programs and services through the Children’s Miracle Network at Monument Health.

A live auction at The Monument Summit Arena of autographed guitars fueled the fundraising total. A guitar signed by country music star Jason Aldean brought in $55,000, establishing a new event record. The previous auction high was $38,000 for a guitar signed by Chris Stapleton.

Other major bids included a Dolly Parton autographed guitar that sold for $46,000, and two guitars signed by Blake Shelton that drew a combined $41,000.

The evening featured a full band acoustic performance by Bret Michaels, lead singer of the rock band Poison, performing alongside the regional touring group Kory and the Fireflies. Bret Michaels played classic Poison songs Nothing But A Good Time, Your Mama Don’t Dance, Every Rose Has It’s Thorn and a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s  Sweet Home Alabama. 

The record-breaking gala precedes a major milestone for pediatric medicine in western South Dakota. 

Monument Health announced at the end event it will officially break ground on its new Rapid City children’s hospital on July 23rd. 

Community members can find additional information about the fundraiser and ongoing pediatric initiatives by visiting monumenthealth.com/foundation