These days, Katrina Black talks about how good health starts at home, and she has just the right place in mind.
As executive director of the Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation, she recently announced the commencement of a unique community-based fundraising initiative that just broke ground yesterday morning in Morinville.
Two local home builders, RMK Homes and Savenay Builders, have joined forces with local construction businesses and suppliers to create the Sturgeon Hospital House in Morinville's Heritage Village Estates. The home will be sold with all proceeds going to the foundation.
This is the first time the foundation has participated in such a fundraiser. Black preferred this idea over the type of big-stake fundraisers that many other hospitals offer.
"I was given a house builder who actually approached us wanting to do one of those big house lotteries. I've never been comfortable with that," Black said. "They're very, very risky. They're fighting for dollars."
Black explained this fundraiser isn't a lottery. Once this house is built, it's going straight on to the market for resale.
"What they're trying to do is build the house at cost, and then once it's sold, 100 per cent of the profit comes to the hospital foundation. There's zero risk for the foundation. It's very innovative."
Black said even the real estate agent is donating the commission. After the costs are deducted, she hopes that the sale will raise more than $100,000 for the foundation. Proceeds will support new equipment, technology and programs at the hospital.
Apart from the prospect of a financial windfall, Black is really thrilled about this level of grassroots support.
"It's corporate sponsorship. It's very exciting. This is a community initiative. It's the whole community going forward with this. What is so incredible about this is the partnerships. It's spread like wildfire. Everybody wants to help with this."
While the major players are on board, Black said there are still opportunities for other local businesses to get involved to donate time, services or help cover expenses.
Construction is scheduled to last three months, making the house available for listing by mid-August. The Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation can be contacted at 780-418-7361 or by visiting www.sturgeonhospitalfoundation.org.
Golf fundraiser
This is also the time of year for the SCHF's Heritage Golf Classic in partnership with the St. Albert Community Foundation (SACF). It costs $250 to register and spots are still available. The event has been held annually since 2001 and takes place this year on Friday, June 19 at the Sturgeon Valley Golf and Country Club.
Black encourages people to act fast since spots in the last golf tournament sold out with two months still to go. She is also hoping that individuals and companies can come forward to help sponsor the event and also donate items for the silent auction.
For more information, call 780-458-8351 or visit www.sacf.ca.
