The Pike Medical Foundation and the Troy Rotary Club will host Balloon Launch 2016 from 4 until 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The public is invited.

The Balloon Launch is held annually to raise money for Troy Regional Medical Center. The funds raised in previous years have gone toward the renovation of the admission and waiting areas of the Emergency Department and for ER bays.

“This year, the money that is raised will be dedicated to patients’ rooms and to the ER rooms, said Karen Herring, TRMC marketing.

The winner of the Balloon Launch is the person whose balloon travels the greatest reported distance.

Balloons may be purchased for $100 by calling 670-5487 or at the launch site near the TRMC helipad prior to launch time.

“The people who find the balloons are requested to call the phone number on the attached card,” Herring said. “Whoever finds the balloon that traveled the farthest will win $100. The person who purchased the ticket for that balloon will win $1,000.” Herring said Balloon Launch 2016 is the third annual launch and it is exciting to learn where the balloons travel and how far they travel. “The first year the balloon that traveled the greatest distance was found in Macon, Georgia, 189 miles,” she said. “The balloon that traveled farthest last year was located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, 527 miles.”

Those who find the balloons are asked to call The Messenger or WTBF to report their findings and locations. Balloon Launch 2016 is shaping up to be a big and fun event, said Abby Peters, event coordinator.

“All of the first responders in the county will be represented,” Peters said. “They will bring their vehicles and demonstrate how they operate and how they help save lives.”

Just for the fun of it, there will be inflatables for the kids to enjoy.

“We’ll also have a photo booth set up so the kids can have their pictures taken in their Halloween costumes,” Peters said. “And, we’ll have light refreshments for everyone. The launch and the other activities will be about an hour in length. It will be a fun event for the whole family and it supports a great cause.”