Dinner for Six – Black Tie Bingo Style
Three years ago, Karen and Bob Bonham decided to move from their home in Oakville to be closer to family here in Guelph. The city’s Newcomer Club appealed to Karen, and she joined.
The Newcomers Club is a non-profit organization for women new to Guelph or who have recently gone through a significant change in their lives, such as losing a partner, becoming newly single or entering retirement. It helps by acquainting members with the city, promoting friendship, and offering social activities.
Karen and Bob made many friends through the association, including Diana & Forrest Smith and Ingrid & Henry Heinrichs Pauls, two couples also new to the city.
A few months ago, Karen read in the news about the Hospital’s Black Tie Bingo and thought it would be fun for the couples to create their own fundraising gala at home. They decided to make it an affair worth remembering, so they agreed on formal dress. They also opted to hire a private chef to handle the meal hosted at the Smiths’ home.
On the night of the event, March 5th, the three couples dined on a fantastic meal prepared by Chef Pi Reyes, a local private chef who created five mouth-watering courses— all perfectly paired with a select wine or beer. The couples each made a sizeable donation to the Foundation and contributed the ‘take’ from a few friendly gambling games after dinner. How wonderful is that? An excellent evening with strong support for our Hospital. And it sounds as though it might become a tradition!
The Bonhams, Smiths and Heinrichs Pauls’s are keen to share the story of the group’s adventure, hoping it might inspire others to do the same. Diana Smith explained, “The pandemic has heightened awareness of our vulnerability and of the essential need for hospitals that work so tirelessly on our behalf.” Bob Bonham put it succinctly, “Every community needs a hospital, and every hospital needs a community.”
Thank you, you lovely newcomers!
