Hospital Foundation celebrates 30th year with record-breaking Be an Angel Gala fundraiser
Once again, the generosity of Fort St. John residents knew no bounds, as the Be an Angel Gala – the annual fundraising gala for the Hospital Foundation – broke records once again in its effort to raise funds for much-needed equipment for the Fort St. John Hospital and Peace Villa.
Foundation Board Chair, Desirae Jeanotte reflected on the past 30 years of the Hospital Foundation, which was started in 1994 when a “group of passionate individuals came together with a common goal: to improve healthcare in our community.”
“Thanks to their dedication and the unwavering support of our community, we have turned that vision into reality. Together we’ve raised funds that have changed lives by purchasing equipment, equipping our healthcare professionals with advanced technology, and supporting various programs in the region.”
The hard work, dedication and passion of the staff, board of directors and volunteers have made a profound difference in the lives of many, Jeanotte said. “It is your dedication that enables us to provide not just care, but hope.”
The Foundation’s mission remains the same after three decades: to raise funds to improve healthcare and ensure the hospital thrives while meeting the needs of the community, she said.
“With your continued support, I am confident that we can achieve even greater things in the years to come.”
This year’s main fundraising focus is the Maldi Biotyper, which analyses samples to quickly identify bacteria and yeast as well as a broader spectrum of pathogens. This allows doctors to know what’s causing infections much sooner, delivering the results in minutes, rather than days. Doctors can treat infections more quickly, thus reducing hospital stays and improving patient care.
The Foundation plans to use $208,000 from this year’s Be an Angel Campaign goal of $350,000 to help fund the Maldi Biotyper.
Jeanotte’s words were indicative of things to come, as this year’s Be an Angel Gala raised $162,000, shattering last year’s record-setting $103,000.
Close to $90,000 was raised from the live auction, conducted by Auctioneer Peter Raffan with the assistance of Master of Ceremonies Ted Sloan. On the auction block were items ranging from tickets to the Fireman’s Ball (Donated by Edith Loewen Mortgages), to a Backyard BBQ set-up (Donated by Probe Corrosion Services), fuel (Donated by FSJ Co-op), Taylor Swift tickets (Donated by BC Pavilion Corp), Christmas Trees (Donated by Canadian Tire and the FSJHF Decorating Committee), to a tonne of gravel (Donated by Dawson Road Maintenance).
The crowning glory of the Live Auction was the I Remember Quilt, which again set a record with the winning bid reaching $25,000, from David Smith, whose mother, Patricia C.D Smith (1944-2021) will be added to the border of the quilt.
The I Remember Quilt is auctioned off each year at the Gala, and the successful bidder has the privilege of having the name of a loved one sewn into the border of the quilt. The quilt is then displayed in the Fort St. John Hospital, honouring their memory.
In addition to fundraising, dinner and dancing to tunes from the Sweetwater Band, Sloan and the Foundation’s executive director, Kelly Amboe, recognized the sponsors and volunteers for their invaluable contributions throughout the years, and in preparing this year’s Gala.
A team of over 30 volunteers spent some 70 hours working to transform the Pomeroy Hotel’s ballroom into the Be an Angel Gala, under the direction of the Gala Decorating Committee of Janelle Loewen, Madalyn Loewen and Victoria Harder.
ConocoPhillips Canada was this year’s Presenting Sponsor, and Montney Operations Manager, Tristan Howes spoke of the honour ConocoPhillips has had, working with the Hospital Foundation over the past 13 years.
Howes characterized the Gala as the “event of the season” and said he is pleased that his company has been able to both support and give back to the community and help make sure medical care is accessible to all.
The Foundation, he said “does a fantastic job, and I’m proud to be a part of this.”
Janet Taylor Award was won by Karen Sutherland, who has been an instrumental volunteer at Bluey Day for the past 25 years, leading the team of barbers shaving the heads of those who stepped up to “Be Brave and Shave”, Amboe told attendees.
The Janet Taylor Award was established in 2013 in honour of Janet Taylor who got involved with the FSJ Hospital Foundation in 1998 and served as a committed member of the Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors, as well as being a devoted volunteer and a generous donor. The award pays tribute to those like Janet who share a dedication to the Foundation’s vision of enhancing patient care in the North Peace.
Other sponsors of the event include Platinum Sponsors Driving Force, Canadian Tire, Tourmaline, Pembina; Silver Sponsor Surerus; and Bronze Sponsor Petron Communications.
Jeannotte thanked everyone for being part of the Foundation’s journey for the past three decades, adding “Here’s to the next 30 years of enhancing patient care in the North Peace.”