The power of collective efforts shone through with the success of the annual Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation’s Friendraiser Gala, "A Night Under the Stars" on Jan. 27 at the Enjoy Centre.
Katrina Black, the CEO of the foundation, said it was an exceptional evening that saw 700 people celebrate the foundation’s 31st year.
“The purpose of this gala is to bring the community together, to celebrate the extraordinary work at the hospital, additionally enabling the hospital to raise much-needed funds to assist in providing the best medical care in our community,” Black said.
The event’s theme was, “Have a heart for emergency,” referring to the foundation's campaign to raise funds to support 30 cardiac monitors for each observation bed in the emergency department.
Black said the foundation had started fundraising for the cause before the gala but the celebration helped speed up the process.
With the hospital’s representatives, supporting businesses, sponsors and hospital residents in attendance and guests from Sturgeon County, Edmonton, St. Albert , Parkland County and other areas, the gala ran through the evening.
The night kicked off with a reception followed by dinner, auction and live entertainment, and Black said everyone had a blast.
The Counterfitz, a modern rock band, had people jamming on the dance floor to radio hits until the wee hours of the morning.
“We were very successful in our fundraising efforts and everyone had a good time,” Black said. She expressed her gratitude to the sponsors and community for their support.
The gala raised over $400,000 to be put toward the cardiac monitors and other hospital expenses.
