Caregivers inspire support of Guelph General at the 29th annual Black Tie Bingo

In a tremendous show of support for nurses and frontline healthcare providers, The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital’s Black Tie Bingo raised $391,000 in net proceeds. A 29 year-old tradition, the Black Tie Bingo gala fundraising dinner took place on Saturday, April 5th and was presented by Co-operators and Meridian Credit Union. All donations from the evening will support patient care equipment such as beds, monitors many other critical tools that the GGH team relies on to deliver the best possible care every day.

The event was co-chaired by Andrew Anderson, of Devlan Construction and Alicia Robertson, Founder and CEO of Lemonade Life, both of whom have previously served as Chairs of The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital’s volunteer board of directors.

“Compassion, human-connection, gratitude and local pride were themes that carried through the entire evening. It fills me with great joy to live in such a generous community, and to have access to incredible care close to home,” said Robertson. Anderson added that the event was “a truly inspiring demonstration of what we can accomplish when we pull together as a community.” He added, “after all, every one of us will use our hospital at some point.”

An emotional highlight of the event took place when members of the Erb family shared their story about the care they received at Guelph General Hospital. Megan Erb was brought to Guelph General’s ICU by ambulance after experiencing a massive stroke. Tragically, she passed away leaving her husband Paul and their five children forever changed. Despite the family’s profound loss, they have found strength and healing in their gratitude for the experience they had at the hospital. Nine members of the Erb family attended the event.

Kelly, one of the ICU nurses who cared for the Erb family, said “The community is incredibly important to us in being able to provide patient-centred, compassionate and safe care to all of our patients.” She continued, “Donors are a part of our entire healthcare community here in Guelph. It takes a whole community to care for one person – it’s not just me, not just my colleagues. It takes a village.”

At the event, guests filled up a giant board of messages of thanks to the GGH team, which is now on display at Guelph General Hospital for all of the GGH team to see.

The fundraising gala dinner took place at the University of Guelph, in keeping with the collaborative spirit between the university and the hospital. Mark Walton, President and CEO of Guelph General Hospital, stated: “Events like this underscore the importance of partnerships as we strive to fulfil our mission of exemplary and equitable care for and with our community.” Walton added, “I express my most sincere thanks to every organization and individual who stepped up to support the hospital this past Saturday.”

Canadian pride was in full-force during the evening, which began with the singing of O Canada, led by vocalist Steven Henrikson. The Foundation gave thanks to close to one-hundred local businesses who supported the event. Khalil Khamis, Board Chair of The Foundation of GGH, remarked “As a Canadian entrepreneur from Guelph, I am so proud to support this event and to be in the company of many others from our local business community who so generously came together.”

The success of Black Tie Bingo was also powered by dozens of logistics volunteers and a team of Community Ambassadors who volunteered their time to assist with planning, fundraising and marketing. Guests were entertained throughout the evening with a live and silent auction as well as sweepstakes draw with a grand prize of two round trip tickets to anywhere Air Canada flies. The evening culminated in its signature rounds of bingo with valuable prizes, called by host and emcee Paul Osborne, also a past Chair of The Foundation of GGH Board of Directors. Over 180 guests made donations ranging from $100 to $10,000 during the event’s signature live fundraising drive.

As an extension of the gala, a cocktail style reception with a smaller crowd called the BTB Soiree was held across town at Spring Mill Distillery by John Sleeman and Sons. The dual-format offered a wider range of ticket prices and an alternative to a formal dinner.

At Guelph General Hospital, every piece of equipment used in the direct care of patients is funded by donations. Over its 29-year history, Black Tie Bing has funded everything from surgical and diagnostic equipment to IV pumps and vital signs monitors to specialized patient beds.