The final fundraising drive for the new Rainy River hospital started out in high gear Friday night when more than $50,000 was raised at the kick-off dinner.
Of the $1.25 million required as the local share, only $300,000 remains to be raised.
The new hospital is scheduled to open April 21, 1999.
The Royal Canadian Legion in Rainy River was packed with people from across the district, and those on hand added to the proceeds by bidding on several items donated for a silent auction.
Former United Church minister Earl Armistead also was “arrested” at the end of the night. He managed to raise about $5,300 in “bail” for the hospital by Monday morning.
“I’m reminded of the little engine chugging up the hill saying, ‘I think I can, I think I can,’” noted Larry Armstrong, co-chair of the hospital fundraising committee as he welcomed everyone to the dinner.
“Reflecting on our current situation, I know we can, I know we can,” he added. “This is a reality. We are getting a new hospital.”
Fundraising efforts for the hospital lagged a bit over the last year as the project sat in a quagmire of red tape. But a new wave of enthusiasm has been generated now that construction of the new facility began this spring.
Part of that enthusiasm included a $25,000 cheque from Legion Br. 54, including a pledge to donate another $1 for every $2 the community raises up to a total of $75,000.
The Legion’s announcement was quickly followed by a cheque for $5,000 from Voyageur Panel in Barwick.
“This supper is as much of a celebration as a fundraiser for those of us who have waited 15-16 years,” hospital administrator Norma Elliott said.
Elliott noted the hospital committee started planning for the fundraising dinner five weeks ago. It was sold out after just two weeks.
“This is just an example of this community’s and surrounding area’s support,” she said.
The hospital pledge campaign also was launched Friday night. Ken Johnston, editor of the Rainy River Record, said it would be similar to the one used by “Ice for Kids” and the auditorium group in the Fort Frances Times.
“We’re borrowing from Earl Armistead’s model, ‘Buy a Brick and Build it Quick,’” Johnston said.
People will be asked to buy a “brick” for a $500 donation, with 566 single bricks and 31 double bricks ($1,000) up for grabs.
And you don’t have to pay all at once, Johnston said, noting the $500 pledge can be spread out over five years, which works out to $8 a month.
Progress of the fundraising drive will be updated every week in the Record and every two weeks in the Times.
“I think it’s pretty exciting to drive by the hospital here and see it go up so quickly,” Johnston said. “Before we know it, it’s going to be open.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
