Black Tie Bingo 2010

And the Oscar for Best Gala goes to … Black Tie Bingo

March 8 –The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital’s annual fundraising gala, Black Tie Bingo, held Saturday night, surpassed expectations by raising $150,361, the most in its 14-year history.

“We are thrilled,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director, Suzanne Bone. “As always, our community stands strong behind the Hospital and we’re so grateful. ”

The money raised is especially welcome given the current financial challenges facing hospitals. While many may think the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s funding covers all capital costs, in fact, hospitals are on their own when it comes to buying most equipment.

The funds will enable the Hospital to purchase 24 new pain pumps to provide epidural relief for labouring moms and self-administered yet monitored pain control for surgical patients. These pumps are $5,000 each. The balance of the funds will be used to purchase other types of medical equipment, to be determined in the near future.

A sell-out 420 guests, along with close to 200 sponsors and prize donors helped push the total raised in the gala’s 14-year history to over $1.35million. This figure, and the $150,361, are both net of expenses.

The theme was A Night Before the Oscars. Guests were greeted by screaming fans and paparazzi as they walked along the red carpet. Two golden human Oscars, a Rat Pack Martini Bar, look-alikes including Michael Jackson and Charlie Chaplin, a film set and Oscar themed-photo booth added to the excitement.

The elegantly attired guests were treated to A Night Before the Oscars courtesy of Presenting Sponsor Westminster Woods, Gold Sponsors MacMillan Marketing Group and The Guelph Tribune, Silver Sponsors Danby Products Ltd, The Guelph Mercury, Insight Vacations with Tripcentral.ca, Sorbara Schumacher, McCann LLP, Synndicus and Sleeman Breweries, as well as many Bronze Sponsors, Supporters and Friends.

Guests bid on over 150 silent and live auction prizes including trips to Mexico, California and Paris, golf and spa packages, jewellery, fine wine, clothing, home décor items and more. They also purchased raffle tickets for the opportunity to win one of three great prizes including a $4,000 diamond solitaire pendant. The grand prize for the final bingo game was an 11-day tour of Italy for two.

The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital was established in 1987. Since that time, more than $30 million has been raised to help Guelph General Hospital fulfill its mission – “Together with our community and guided by our values, we provide quality, patient-centred health care.”