The Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation has its upcoming 30th anniversary gala all packaged up.
In a typical year, the ‘friend’ raising fête would get everyone dressed up for a soirée bedazzled with lights and smiles at the Enjoy Centre. The show must go on this time around, though people don’t have to leave the comforts of their own homes for the party. Call it Stars Box 2021.
“This year is a little different and since the safest way to come together is in the safety of our own homes, we are Bringing the Stars to You!” exclaims the event’s website.
Last year’s event was a wall-busting sell-out with 680 attendees, marking its highest attendance ever. With everyone at home in 2021, there are no walls to bust, meaning no limits on how many people can attend.
“The fundraiser really allows the hospital foundation to provide much-needed equipment, as well as programs, to our local hospital,” Dooley stated, on the foundation’s website. “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.”
The foundation has partnered with several local vendors for what it’s billing as ‘the perfect date night at home’: a culinary experience for two people that includes a curated selection of delicious local food and beverages. In case you and your partner have other noisemakers in the house, there's the option of some ‘upscale add-ons’ for doubles of select offerings or extra children’s portions. There are also vegetarian and vegan options, and preferences for red or white wine, or prosecco.
The Stars Box costs $150 and includes delectable contributions from Century Hospitality Group, Jacek Chocolate Couture, Roast Coffee Co., Endeavour Brewing Company, Whisk Dessert Co., and Blue Kettle Specialty Foods. It also includes a $50 tax receipt. You can order yours to have it delivered on either Friday, Jan. 29 or Saturday, Jan. 30.
The annual Friend Raiser is the foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year and it contributes greatly to the impact that the foundation can have on the Sturgeon Hospital each year. The hospital treated more than 102,000 patients annually for 2018 and 2019. Extenuating circumstances drove that demand up to more than 111,000 patients last year.
As attendees register for their home deliveries, they can also consider the temptation of other add-ons that would go straight to supporting health care at the facility.
The gala usually brings in approximately $250,000 to help the foundation support the hospital through equipment. Thanks to live donations at last year’s event, the foundation was able to purchase both a renal dialysis machine and a transport ventilator while the remainder of the funds went to buying other life-saving equipment for the Critical Care Unit.
“Our hospital has seen an increased demand and even more pressure than ever to care for people in our community. The busier it gets, the more important it is to ensure that the hospital has the resources, technology and equipment to keep up with the demands of an ever-growing patient base. For that, we need you!” the Stars Box 2021 page reads.
Starting at an extra $130, people can add non-invasive blood pressure monitors, blanket warmer cabinets, transport monitors (or ultrasound sonosites), and navigator GPS gamma apositioning systems (or cautery machines) to their orders. Tax receipts for those extras will be provided to the purchasers.
