Volunteer Spotlight: Black Tie Bingo Committee

Black Tie Bingo, our annual fundraising gala in support of Guelph General Hospital, is brought to life anew each year with a fresh theme by a skilled and dedicated team of Guelph General Hospital supporters. The gala has been evolving for 26 years with the help of countless, vital volunteers who help create memorable evenings for community members in an effort to raise funds for much-needed patient care equipment.

The volunteer committee that helped make our 26^th annual gala possible consisted of David Halls, Chair (Royal LePage Royal City Realty), Cathy MacMillan (The Letter M Marketing), Andrew Anderson (Devlan Construction Ltd.), David Butler (Village by the Arboretum), Lynn Vanschaik (Guelph Storm), Debbie Stanley (ETP Canada), Kevin Malinski (Platters Catering & Events), and Taha Zafar (Skyline Apartment REIT).

David Butler has been a staunch supporter of our hospital and Black Tie Bingo for over 20 years. He explains, “The hospital serves everybody, it is a life-saving organization that does such wonderful things for families and I am happy to support it.”

Debbie Stanley from ETP Canada has served on the committee for four years. She says she joined the committee because “it seemed like a great way to be a part of something that made such a big impact on our community in one night of fundraising. The event is magical!”

Lynn Vanschaik from the Guelph Storm has served on the committee for 12 years. She exclaims, “I have always said – Black Tie Bingo is the ‘must not miss event’ of Guelph. Every year it is a privilege to create and plan the grandest event in our city.”

Andrew Anderson from Devlan Construction says he continues to volunteer on the committee because “by supporting Guelph General Hospital you’re directly supporting the people of Guelph.”

Kevin Malinski has served on the committee for six years. He is the owner of Platters Catering and The Grand Guelph Banquet Hall. When he reflects on his involvement he states, “Supporting Guelph General this way is an amazing and heartwarming life experience. The generosity of many is outstanding.”

David Hall from Royal Lepage has been on the committee since 2008, serving as chair for the past five years. He says, “I have always really enjoyed working with such tremendously creative and innovative people, especially these past couple of years which have been a special challenge when it comes to putting on an event like this.”

2022 is the year David hangs up his chair hat. Thank you, David, for your dedication to the Black Tie Bingo committee. We are so appreciative of your support.

This year, the committee has helped raise $212,084 in fundraising revenue for Guelph General Hospital. Funds raised at this year’s Black Tie Bingo – Around the World will help fund a new MRI scanner.

Thank you to this year’s Black Tie Bingo Volunteer Committee, and to all committee members of years past, for their devoted volunteerism. Together, they help save lives and improve health in our community.