Imagine having more than 650 people over for the party of the year. Everyone gets dressed up, the food and music are outstanding, and everyone has a blast. You would certainly consider that a success, like Hollywood Oscar party-level success.
Now think of how this one event also acts as the major fundraiser for a cause that stands to benefit hundreds of thousands of people – you, your family, friends and neighbours throughout all of northern Alberta.
That’s the reason why the Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation is so proud to put on its annual Friend Raiser Gala. It’s the city’s biggest party and it has the city’s biggest heart at its centre.
“We say it’s St. Albert’s premier event of the year and we truly believe that it is,” stated gala chair Corinna Dooley.
“I'm absolutely blown away by the support of the community already before the event even happened. We were sold out basically by the end of November, which is a month earlier than last year, which blew us away last year. That's amazing.”
While the foundation offers other fundraisers throughout the year, this one event – the Friend Raiser Gala – is really the key to ensuring it achieves success in its goal of enabling outstanding medical care at the Sturgeon Hospital. Many people don’t realize the facility serves not just this city and parts of Edmonton but its catchment area includes northern Alberta. There were more than 102,000 people who relied on the excellent medical care right here in St. Albert in 2018, according to the foundation’s annual report.
Of course, all of that activity comes at a cost: no piece of equipment lasts forever, no matter how state-of-the-art it is. Much of its equipment is also very expensive.
When the gala expects to raise approximately $250,000 from the proceeds of just one evening, it must be nice for them to know that the community has their back. Take a look at sturgeonhospitalfoundation.org/friend-raiser-gala-3 and remark at the dozens of businesses who have offered sponsorships for the event’s success as well. Dooley said that she was “blown away” by the support.
“There are a million great causes out there for sure, but I think the hospital is one that everybody can see themselves using. I think that's what resonates for people. I always just say, ‘When you need a hospital, you want a great one close to home.’”
That being said, there is always room for more helping hands. Dooley said that donations of items or services for the online auction could still be offered before next Tuesday’s deadline. Visit sturgeonhospitalgala.ca or by calling the office on 780-418-7361. If you didn’t get your tickets to the event being held at the Enjoy Centre on Saturday, Jan. 25, you can still participate in the auction by visiting that site that evening as well.
