Gala raises $191,500 to help build a new maternity ward at Peace Arch Hospital
April 29, 2010 Four-hundred-and-fifty Surrey and White Rock residents gathered at Centennial Arena in White Rock on April 24th, 2010 at the Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation’s 21 Annual Partners in Caring Gala.The event raised a total of $191,500 (net), with proceeds going to help fund a new maternity ward at Peace Arch Hospital.
Considered by many in the community to be the social event of the year, Gala chair, Meryll Dreyer and the committee staged this year’s event around a sophisticated seaside soiree theme. Guests were treated to a gourmet meal prepared by Chef Oliver Beckert and the staff of the Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver. The event was emceed by Rick Cluff, host of CBC radio, The Early Edition, and wrapped up with dancing to the tunes of Hitmen XB, featuring Tom Arntzen.
“It’s an amazing event that raises much needed funds for the Hospital and is a tremendous show of the community’s support show for the hospital and the Foundation,” said Jackie Smith, executive director, Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation.
Exactly a year ago, at the 2009 Partners in Caring Gala, the Foundation launched the $5.3-million, OH BABY appeal for a new maternity ward. “When Fraser Health approached the Foundation with a request to fund a new maternity ward at Peace Arch Hospital, we didn’t hesitate…The community had told us that it is not acceptable for four women and their families to share one room. And it is not okay for dads to sleep on the floor in an already crowded recovery room. It’s time to build a bigger, better maternity ward and to make it one of the best in the Lower Mainland. And that is precisely what we are doing,” said Dragana Sanderson, Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation board chair.
At this year’s Gala, Sanderson announced that the OH BABY appeal has reached the $4-million mark and that the final push is on for the new maternity ward. Fundraising continues for this project and exciting naming opportunities are still available. For more information, contact the Foundation at 604.535.4520.
