Hundreds of local residents were treated to a glitzy night on Broadway Feb. 16, as the Bonnyville Health Centre staged its 16th annual Hospital Gala at the Centennial Centre's field house.
The event raised some $240,000 which Dr. Guy Lamoureux, chief of medical staff at the health centre, said would enable the hospital to either buy or upgrade equipment that it would otherwise not be able to afford.
“Sometimes it means we can do things that we couldn't do otherwise,” Lamoureux said. “Right now we have two doctors that do colonoscopies and gastroscopies. Without the contribution from the gala we certainly wouldn't be able to do nearly the number that we do.”
For that, Lamoureux was quick to commend everyone that attended the gala, as well as those that organized it, believing it helps bring the community closer together.
“The gala has become one of the premier social events in Bonnyville thanks to the hard work of the committee,” Lamoureux said. “It does a huge amount for the connection between the community and the hospital, over and above the money that is raised. I think the value of that shouldn't be underrated or overlooked.”
The night began with wonderful single and duet performances from Shawn Sheplayi and local singing sensation Irene Bartok. The duo engaged in a series of classic ballads before exiting the stage to a standing ovation. There was further entertainment provided later in the night by Canadian band Aurora.
Roy Doonanco, chair of the Bonnyville Health Centre, said that the people in attendance were “very fortunate to have Irene here to sing tonight”. He then proceeded to thank everyone in attendance, cementing the fact that “all funds raised tonight will be staying in Bonnyville so that we can enhance several services at the Health Centre.”
Bonnyville Health Centre's administrator Alex Smyl said the initial numbers coming in from the event were looking good – with an estimate of $240,000 set. Smyl also said there was close to 700 people attending the gala.
The top selling items on the live auction brought in over $30,000 and included a 16-person house boating trip, a trip for two to San Antonio and a trip for two to London, an Alaskan cruise for two and a man cave collection.
To go along with the money raised at both the live and silent auctions, several local and larger businesses operating in the town made donations.
B&R Eckels and Cenovus made the largest donations of the night, each presenting a check for $25,000. Imperial Oil donated $20,000, as well as providing the evening meal for guests. CNRL donated $15,000, while The Festival of Trees also wrote a check to the tune of $14,000.
There were several large donations locally as the MD of Bonnyville Council donated $10,000, the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs raised $10,890 for the cause and Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual gave $4,600.
This year's funds will be going towards funding brand new Bair Blankets, slit lamps, stress test equipment, ultrasound accessories and Stryker Stretchers
The night's Master of Ceremonies, Vic Sadlowski, said the community could be very proud of their night's achievements.
“The generosity of this town amazes me,” Sadlowski said. “Every donation, little or large, is incredible and really does go a long way.”
Sadlowski was equally touched when he heard a story of a young boy wanting to make a monetary donation to the health centre earlier in the year.
“I came across a young lad and he told me he wanted to make a donation to the health centre,” Sadlowski said. “It turns out that the money he wanted to give was money he received as a gift for his ninth birthday, he wanted to help the grandmas and grandpas in the hospital.”
To sum it up, Sadlowski simply wanted to extend his thanks to the community for what turned out to be a hugely successful night.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Sadlowski said. “I really can't say that loud or anywhere near enough. We have an amazing staff that work at the hospital and what everyone has done tonight will go a long way to helping them be even better.”
