The Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation’s Friend Raiser Gala held on January 25th at the Enjoy Centre was a roaring success thanks to overwhelming support from the community! The evening was an absolute sell-out, with 680 attendees marking the highest attendance in the event’s history.
“I really feel that it’s known as St. Albert’s premier event of the year, and I certainly don’t think this year felt any different,” said Gala Chair Corinna Dooley. “It’s a coming together of like-minded community members who really want to do their part to help ensure great health care close to home.”
And help they did! Thanks to live donations at the event, the Foundation was able to “outright purchase” a renal dialysis machine and a transport ventilator, which were two of the main goals. The remainder of the funds raised at the event will go to purchasing other life-saving equipment for the Critical Care Unit at the Sturgeon.
New this year, the Friend Raiser utilized online bidding though Givergy, which allowed community members to start bidding before arriving. This new interactive platform allowed people to bid in advance of the evening, and also to bid without even attending the event! Another highlight for 2020 was the new host, local personality Jesse Lipscombe.
The annual Friend Raiser is the foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year and it in turn contributes greatly to the impact that the Foundation can have on the Sturgeon Hospital each year.
“The fundraiser really allows the hospital foundation to provide much-needed equipment, as well as programs, to our local hospital,” Dooley said. “A hospital is really a charity that most people can relate to, in some way, shape or form. And certainly, when you need a hospital, you want a great one close to home.”
