The Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation is another $100,000 richer after its annual fundraising gala Friday evening in Morden.
The money raised that night, which featured a James Bond /Casino Royale theme, will go a long to way to help the foundation support programs, equipment, and resources at the regional hospital.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. We love putting on our annual gala, and this is when we get to interact with a lot of our donors,” said executive director Shannon Samatte-Folkett.
“We were sold out early this year, and we had a wait list, so that’s amazing,” she added. “Our gala tends to raise over $100,000 for us annually … and that’s really important because we have a lot of programs that we support at the hospital.
“An event like this one is only as successful as the people who choose to attend,” Samatte-Folkett added. “We could put on the most extravagant event, the best food, the most beautiful decor, but it is a success because of the people who choose to attend our event and the corporate and community sponsors who believe in us and choose to be a sponsor to help us make these events amazing.”
Samatte-Folkett also gave thanks to the local RBC branches who provided volunteers to help set up.
The evening’s entertainment was provided by Jayme Giesbrecht and the Soul Revue Band and comedian Dean Jenkinson.
By the end of the evening, the ongoing 50/50 raffle fundraiser saw its jackpot build to over $31,000. The next chance to win an early bird prize is Nov. 17. The grand prize draw happens Dec. 22. To buy your tickets, visit bthcf5050.ca or stop by the foundation offices at the hospital.
Folkett said the funds go a long way to enable the foundation to support programs like palliative care and spiritual care as well as to provide equipment and education resources.
“I do think the expansion and having more programs, more space has made people more excited and really wanting to give,” she suggested. “And now they can see it coming. It’s being built, and they can feel like they are part of it.
“It’s really encouraging … and it’s just rewarding to be here with everyone,” concluded Samatte-Folket.. “I reflect on the conversations I had through the night and what I observe. I am humbled. Every event I work on, my goal is that our guests have a feel-good experience, that when they leave they feel appreciated by our foundation and have a great, fun time. I think they truly did.”
Photos by Lorne Stelmach/Voice
BTHC Foundation’s fall gala featured a James Bond/Casino Royale theme
