Heather Latter
The Riverside Foundation for Health Care’s annual spring luncheon Sunday afternoon was a big hit once again—raising $11,288.08 for local health care.
“It’s the best yet,” enthused Foundation director Samantha Manty, noting the amount surpassed last year’s total by more than $2,000.
Manty said the funds will go towards the purchase of a recumbent bike for Riverside’s rehab department and a shower chair for La Verendrye Hospital here.
“It’s one of the most used pieces of equipment in rehab,” she remarked, adding the current one is in need of replacing.
“Mainly when people think of the bike, they think about using it for leg injuries or knee surgery, which it is used for often,” Manty explained.
“But it is also used for people who are having issues with balance and also for patients who have had a stroke for rehabilitation,” she said.
“So it’s a very important piece of equipment.”
Enough money was raised to also purchase a shower chair costing $1,500.
“It’s a medical grade shower chair for the in-patient unit at La Verendrye General Hospital,” Manty noted.
Manty was pleased Sunday’s event—dubbed “Mama Needs to Let the Sunshine In” and held in the Robert Moore School gymnasium—raised so much money while drawing about 165 ladies.
“The event went extremely well this year,” she said. “We had an amazing turnout.
“It definitely exceeded my expectations.
“Everybody seemed to be enjoying the sunny atmosphere that we had going on—all the bright yellow decor and summertime items,” she added.
Manty said people were very generous with the silent auction, as well as buying penny table tickets, while the garage sale did extremely well this year.
Meanwhile, a lot of people played the “sunshine” spin game and the “ladybug” toss.
“And there were plenty of great prizes,” Manty said.
There was a mystery prize worth $100 up for grabs, as well as two other prizes that people could purchase tickets for a chance to win.
And, of course, there was the sunglasses competition, with Karen McTavish (most diva), Marie Saunders (funniest), and Barb Marusyk (most creative) taking top honours.
“All around, I think the atmosphere was super sunny,” Manty enthused.
“Everybody had big smiles on their faces and they were all pulling out their wallets and giving toward a great cause, so that was really nice to see.”
The lunch featured potato salad, coleslaw, and wraps provided by the food service team at La Verendrye Hospital.
Manty noted the Special Events committee always works so hard, adding there were a few new members who recently joined it.
“We had everybody working towards a common goal and it obviously paid off,” she remarked.
In related news, the Foundation’s annual Canada Day cash lottery is now underway.
“We sent out our big mail-out to the community,” said Manty, noting if people didn’t get one, they can contact her at 274-4803.
“Board members will be out selling them at different locations around town,” she added.
The tickets also are available at From the Grind Up, the Fort Frances Times, Green’s Brand Source, McTaggarts, Taggs Source for Sports, and West End Motors, as well as at the hospital tuck shop, the health centres in Emo and Rainy River, and Rainycrest.
The early-bird draw—a fishing package for two to Manitou Weather Station—will be drawn May 20 at 9 a.m. at Flint House.
“So we’re encouraging people to get their tickets before that date because they’ll be put in for the early-bird draw,” Manty explained.
The grand prize is $10,000 while second prize is $2,000.
There also is a draw for $1,000 and four draws for $500.
And every ticket goes back in for each draw.
This year, proceeds will go towards five high-low beds for Rainycrest, as well as a portable suction machine there.
Any additional funds raised will go towards a sixth bed.
The next thing on the Foundation’s agenda is its fall gala, which is slated for Sept. 24 at the Fort Frances Curling Club.
“We’re getting geared up for that already,” Manty said, noting this year’s theme will be “Mobsters and Dames.”
“So that will be a speakeasy, prohibition-style event and we’re expecting it to be amazing,” she promised.
“It’ll be nice because having it at the curling club will allow us to open up a few more seats because we’ve been selling out really quickly year after year,” Manty added.
Although tickets for that event won’t be available until later in the summer, the Foundation will be sending out sponsorship packages and letters to local artisans soon.
“It’s always nice to give them a head’s up in case they want to create something special to donate to the event,” she reasoned.
For more information, call Manty at 274-4803.
