Having just tallied up the funds late this morning, the Riverside Foundation for Health Care cleared more than $20,000 at its “chair”- ity auction and casino events here Saturday, making it more successful than last year’s fundraiser.
“It was fun. We had a great time,” said Teresa Hazel, director for the Riverside Foundation for Health Care.
“We’re all pretty weary,” laughed Joan Allison, chair of the Foundation’s special events committee, referring to the hours of hard work volunteers put into the fundraiser.
“Teresa and I were going to add all the money up yesterday afternoon, but were too tired,” she added.
Aside from ticket sales to the casino, which drew about 200 people, there also were silent, closed bid, live, and penny auction funds to be counted, along with money raised through gambling with “fun” money.
“From the feedback, it certainly seems like it was a success. We were just overwhelmed with the response,” remarked Allison.
“We’re definitely pleased with the event,” echoed Hazel.
The fundraising started at noon Saturday as a steady stream of people perused a collection of chairs outside the auditorium at the Memorial Sports Centre—featuring a variety of handcrafted, handpainted, old, new, and refurbished benches and chairs created and donated by local crafters, artists, woodworkers, and area businesses.
The winning bids were announced— and draws for the chairs made—later that evening during the casino event.
The chairs pulled in more than half of the money for the fundraiser, noted Hazel, who added she was impressed with the talent—and generosity—of the community once again.
The casino opened to the public at 7:30 p.m., with the gambling (using “fun” money) underway by 8.
This Vegas-style evening, which according to Allison drew a slightly younger crowd than the charity’s fundraiser dinners usually do, featured blackjack, roulette, and wheels of chance.
The tables, which were sponsored by various district businesses, were manned by volunteers from the community. This gambling went on until just after 10 p.m.
“Fun” money won through gambling then was used to buy or place bids on items, including some chairs, that evening.
The evening also featured a “Win, Lose, or Drink” cash bar, wandering waitresses dressed like playing cards, a “money grab” machine, a silent auction for a selection of donated items, and a live auction for donated chairs and benches.
Finger foods, including chicken wings and pizza, were provided by Toonie’s Bar and Grill. Snacks such as potato chips also were sold.
The “Luck of the Draw” raffle also was held Saturday evening, where Bev Steele won the firstplace prize of a fly-in fishing trip for two to Campbell’s Cabins.
Vi Kocuiba won the second prize—a $200 gift certificate from The Place—while the third prize of a dinner for two and manicure/pedicure went to Connie Calder.
This was the seventh-annual event for the Riverside Foundation for Health Care, which raises funds for La Verendrye hospital here as well as the health centres in Emo and Rainy River.
Last year’s “Rock Around the Clock” event brought in about $18,500.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
