The Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation will host its 33rd annual Friend Raiser Gala this month in support of the Sturgeon Hospital Foundation and the critical care unit of the Sturgeon Community Hospital.
Corinna Dooley, the chair of the gala committee, helps organize the event. She coordinates the efforts of committee members, staff, the event-management team and volunteers, and the board of directors. She believes it's the "premier fundraising event of the season in support of the Sturgeon Hospital Foundation."
The gala, on Jan. 18 at the Edmonton Convention Centre, will bring together around 600 guests, including corporate partners like the small and large businesses of St. Albert or individuals who buy a ticket to attend, for "a night of fine dining, live entertainment, as well as live and silent luxury auctions," Dooley said. She said the gala has a "tremendous circle of support" from their corporate sponsors, as well as the corporations and individuals that attend the event, and this makes it one of their more important events of the season.
"This event is the largest fundraising initiative of the year, and it is part of a larger capital campaign to raise funds for the critical care unit at the Sturgeon Hospital," she said. "The funds raised are crucial for equipment enhancement in the critical care unit," she said. By upgrading the equipment in the intensive and cardiac care units of the hospital, their "health care providers can provide comprehensive, high-quality care locally and most importantly, [reduce] the need for patient transfers."
Dooley said fewer patient transfers shows a commitment to the community.
"This idea that you can care for people right here in our community is truly important to the foundation, and is a key value for us," she said.
Dooley said there will a be "an opportunity the night of the event to hear about the value that this equipment will bring to the hospital."
Last year, the gala raised over $400,000, and they expect this year to go "really well from a fundraising perspective," said Rebecca Whitney, Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation marketing and communications manager. To help raise funds for the foundation, the gala will run a live and silent auction. The prizes for the auction, which will close at 10 p.m. on Jan. 18, include tickets to an Edmonton Oilers game in March, a stay at Predator Ridge Resort, a premium dinner at Sorrentinos Little Italy, and other luxury prizes.
With around 600 expected guests and a new venue, the gala is a trick to pull off. Dooley praised the volunteers and staff of the foundation for helping make the gala special and improving the hospital.
"When you need a hospital, you want a great one close to home," she said. "And on Jan. 18 we're going to continue to build a great hospital that's near to our homes," she said.
Those interested in learning more about the Friend Raiser Gala can visit their website at www.sturgeonhospitalfoundation.org/friend-raiser-gala
