The 17th annual Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation Starlight Gala raised an incredible total organizers anticipate will reach about $210,000.
In recent years the massive upscale dinner/auction has brought in $150,000 or more, an already breathtaking amount for a small-town fundraiser.
To up the ante, as this year’s event has done, is a testament to both the determination of the organizing committee and the support of the community.
Local sponsors, businesses, auction item donors, municipalities and attendees continue to step up for an event that is not only a highlight on the social calendar, but an important component of ongoing efforts to maintain a healthy community, both in terms of the physical well being of residents and the economic viability of the region itself.
There is no overstating the key role the Palmerston and District Hospital plays in making the region attractive and viable. Local municipal leaders are quick to point to a well-equipped hospital as a key component of any local recruiting strategy, whether the target is major employers, health care professionals or other skilled workers.
Foundation officials stress that while the province provides operational funding for hospitals, any equipment upgrades rely on local fundraising efforts.
Funds this year will be used to replace the cardiac monitors in the hospital. Proceeds of previous galas have paid for such vital equipment as an ultrasound, colonoscope and a bone mineral density machine to name a few.
This year’s proceeds bring the 17-year fundraising total into the $1.5 million range, an indication community spirit is no passing fad here.
