Hundreds of guests were able to get a new outlook on life, seeing the world ‘through the eyes of a child' at the 20th annual Bonnyville Health Foundation gala.
“We always think about the patients, and of course, unfortunately, we do have some sick children. (The theme) stemmed from that – it's to help children,” explained Vic Sadlowski, one of the event organizers. “Even though the material raised this year is for surgery in general, a two-day-old or a 90-year-old might be using some of that equipment.”
Around 700 people flocked to the Centennial Centre Field House on Saturday, Feb. 18, to do their part to raise funds for new equipment at the Bonnyville Covenant Healthcare Centre. Although they are still counting up the totals, organizers believe it was another successful gala, expecting to have raised between $140,000 and $160,000 from the evening.
“It's unreal. The crowd was amazing, and so were the donations,” said Sadlowski. “The surprise table sold for $2,100, all of that just for the right to eat first. A gentleman who I didn't even know came up to me and gave me $1,000.”
With the funds from this year's gala, the health foundation is hoping to purchase a bed-to-chair device for the hospital operating room, a vital signs machine, and a Glidescope, which is used to look at a patient's voice box instead of just using the naked eye.
As they have done annually for the past two decades, organizers and volunteers put together a spectacular night to help raise these much-needed dollars. Many who walked through the doors of the field house were amazed by the decorations that filled the room.
“The night is amazing, and the effort and time that they put into this décor is amazing. The support of the people coming out in the numbers that they do every year is amazing,” expressed Dr. Hendrik van der Watt, a physician at the Bonnyville Healthcare Centre. “To see the donations that have been made for the silent auction, as well as the live auction, is incredible. It speaks to a community that is really involved in the health care needs and their own health care.”
Town of Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski echoed those comments, “This is a phenomenal night. It's great to see all the people, and the venue is spectacular. The decorating committee did a phenomenal job.”
However, the extravagance didn't come as a surprise for those who have attended the gala in the past. Since it's inception, the event has garnered attention from residents across the region and raised close to $2 million for equipment at the local hospital. Money that has allowed doctors in town to stay up-to-date with the latest in health care technology.
“The impact of the last 19 years has been incredible. Health care needs and technology are advancing at an amazing pace, the healthcare system has struggle to keep up with the cost. With events like this we are able to raise funds to expand the technology that allows us to treat and manage our patients,” said van der Watt.
Thanks to this equipment, it has saved patients and doctors time and money, allowing for more comprehensive treatment in town instead of making the trip to the city.
“For instance, the cancer treatment ward, six years ago to get chemo you would have to go to Edmonton, now you can get it right here. A few years ago, we bought a gadget for eye injuries and it saved us ambulance trips to Edmonton,” explained Sadlowski.
Of course, the health foundation couldn't do it alone. In addition to the countless number of volunteers that make up the foundation's committees, local groups such as the Bonnyville Pontiacs and 4-H members were on hand to help serve the dinner, which was catered by C'est La Vie.
“It's always an important (event) because it bring everybody together. This is the one event that everybody looks forward to,” said Sobolewski. “I am so proud to have been part of it since almost the day I moved the Bonnyville. The cause, everybody realizes and values our health facility. It's just so fantastic to see everybody that comes out.”
