Black Tie Bingo Gala Raises Record (and Counting) for Guelph General Hospital

The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital’s 27^th annual Black Tie Bingo, presented by Co-operators and Meridian Credit Union, returned to an-in person event last Saturday evening at The Grand Guelph, with over 400 sponsors, guests and volunteers taking part.

Co-Chairs Lynda Murray and Juliette Zhang were thrilled to announce a record-breaking year for the annual gala fundraising evening in support of Guelph General Hospital.  Net proceeds exceeded expectations, thanks to the generous Guelph community, an array of donated auction prizes, increased sponsorship and fulfilling the $100,000 Hutton Match, which doubled the results of the live fundraising. Funds raised will help to purchase urgently needed patient care equipment to support the surgical team.

Inspired by the generosity of the Guelph community and in honour of his parents who passed away during COVID, James Hutton agreed on the night to increase his matching gift by $50,000 and has since extended the opportunity until midnight on Wednesday, March 8. Mr. Hutton will match any donation to boost the results even further. Donations can be made by calling the Foundation at 519-837-6442 or online at gghfoundation.ca.

Marianne Walker, CEO of Guelph General Hospital, stated: “Like other hospitals across the province, Guelph General Hospital currently faces a significant backlog of surgeries that were delayed as a result of the pandemic. We are among the top performers in the province in catching up with these surgeries which is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our team.” Walker added: “The funds raised to support our surgical department’s equipment needs, position us well to provide care to those that have been waiting. These surgeries are essential for quality of life, pain control as well as to avoid further deterioration and complications.”

Guests enjoyed a three-course dinner, live music by local jazz group the Jakob Durst Trio, bidding on silent and live auction prizes, and in keeping with the title of the event, four competitive rounds of Bingo and a chance to win coveted prizes and bragging rights.

Local politicians Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament and Mike Schreiner, Member of Provincial Parliament and Leader of the Ontario Green Party joined local business leaders at the event such as Jim Estill, CEO, Danby Products Ltd., James Hutton, CEO, Hutton Forest Products, Susan Frasson, President, Wood Development Group and Khalil Khamis, CEO, Crafty Ramen and Vice Chair of The Foundation of GGH.

A new addition to the event this year was the announcement of the inaugural recipients of The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital’s Inspirational Philanthropist Award, presented to John and Barbara Wood for their outstanding contributions through business, philanthropy and volunteerism in support of Guelph General as well as the wider Guelph community. Barbara Wood was present to receive the honour, and celebrated the evening with family and friends.

Julie Byczynski, CEO of The Foundation of Guelph General, remarked, “John and Barb have made an indelible impact on our hospital and on our entire Guelph community. When you consider the impact that they have had on healthcare, education, social services and various community projects over decades of volunteerism and donations, there is likely not a single person in Guelph who hasn’t been touched in some way by their giving back. Most importantly, though, they’ve inspired so many others to follow in their example.”

At Guelph General Hospital, every piece of equipment used to help care for patients is funded by community. Over its 27 year history, Black Tie Bing has funded everything from surgical and diagnostic equipment to IV pumps and vital signs monitors to specialized ICU patient beds.

The Foundation invites community members to learn more about the Inspirational Philanthropist Award and the inaugural recipients John and Barbara Wood, by visiting their website: https://gghfoundation.ca/inspirational-philanthropist-award/ And, to also learn more about Guelph General’s surgical equipment needs, by viewing the video that they shared with BTB guests at the event: