Although final figures won’t be in for a while yet all indications are that the fifth annual Christmas Gala for Cariboo Memorial Hospital held at Thompson Rivers University Saturday was a huge success.
“The support we got from the community was just unbelievable this year,” says Joy Hennig, who organized the ball with Tammy Tugnum.
“We made approximately $50,000,” Hennig says. “The auctions alone raised $17,000.”
By comparison, she says last year’s hospital gala raised $38,000.
“This was probably our most successful gala yet,” agrees Cariboo Foundation Hospital Trust co-chair Rick Nelson. “We were just overwhelmed by the number of things that came in for the auctions, the cash donations made to help with the gala and the support from the community.”
The gala is part of the hospital trust’s current efforts to raise funds for a new digital mammography unit for CMH. The machine will cost about $1 million, about $600,000 of which the community must raise.
Nelson says 236 tickets were sold to the $80-a-plate gourmet dinner catered by the Overlander Hotel.
The evening included the grand prize draw for a $9,900 diamond ring donated by Woodland Jewellers that was won by Fred Harvey, Nelson says.
The earlybird draw for a weekend for two at the Tin Horn Creek Winery Bed and Breakfast near Oliver was won by Leah Tschritter, Hennig says.
The air fare and week stay at a luxury condo in Scottsdale, Arizona sold for $3,200, Nelson says.
Donors of the week of accommodation at a cabin on Horsefly Lake ended up selling two separate weeks at about $950 and $800 each, Nelson says.
The Reva Schick Butterfly Babies doll sold for about $600; and the 3-D plasma television sold for just over $1,000.
Nelson adds a diamond pendant donated by Excelsior Jewellers was also raffled during the evening, raising about $1,400. Dan Hare won the diamond pendant.
More than 50 items were donated for the silent auction.
As part of the fundraising efforts Nelson says 10 per cent of earnings by Antiques on Sixth from Prince George, which helped to decorate the gymnasium for the evening in the Old Fashioned Christmas theme, will also be donated to the cause.
Hennig says the gala date has already been set for next year on Nov. 24, 2012 and the popular March Hare band from Prince George will be back to play for the dance.
“As soon as they started playing everyone was up on the floor dancing all night,” Hennig says. She says the theme for next year’s gala is Midnight in Paris.
“Keep the gala in mind for your Christmas party next year as reservations can be made in advance,” Hennig says.