Although the traditional Friends of St. Francis Charity Golf Tournament has been cancelled due to Covid-19, something new and exciting is coming to the community. The new Friends of St. Francis Virtual Charity Event will be taking place live from the Homestead at Wolf Ridge, on Friday, September 4 starting at 1 p.m. Above SFVH Foundation Board members thank donors. From left Sheilagh Dunn Cybulski, Pat Pilgrim, Karen Tierney (Chair), Cathy Pitts, Kristen Graves Kuiack. Photo submitted.
Organized by the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation (SFVHF) and its volunteer golf committee, the event will feature Facebook Live reports from the golf course, the highly-anticipated online auction, a putting challenge led by volunteer putters, and so much more. The action kicks off with a welcome video featuring board members, St. Francis’ very own Greg McLeod, Julia Boudreau, Dr. Jason Malinowski, among others.
“This Virtual Charity Event will allow us to carry on with the spirit of the tournament, while adhering to current public health directives,” SFVHF Executive Director Erin Gienow said.
While teams won’t be golfing this year, one thing hasn’t changed; they will be making a huge impact on local healthcare. Past teams have been asked to contribute their past registration fee to a Match-It program, led by a number of local sponsors. Every dollar contributed by past players has been matched, dollar for dollar, by the Major and Friends level sponsors.
Major sponsors include: Gold Level – JAG Building Group. Silver Level – Barry’s Bay Home Hardware Building Centre, Lorraine’s Pharmasave, Summers Bros. Motors Ltd., and V&S Stedmans. Bronze Level – Barry’s Bay Bank of Montreal, Ferguson & Kubisheski Chartered Accountants, FIA Plumbing & Heating, McCarthy Fuels & Propane, and Spacelabs Healthcare Inc.
Friends Level sponsors include: Barry’s Bay Dairy Limited, Barry’s Bay Esso, Drapeau Automatic Sprinkler Corp., Gerry’s Septic Pumping & Portable Toilet Rental, MIP, Oegema Turkey Farms Inc., Rick Fleguel Slasher Contracting Ltd., Spectacle Lake Lodge, the Eganville Leader, and Walsh Contracting & Equipment Rentals Ltd.
“We would also like to thank our past Hole Sponsors who renewed their commitment with us this year, and those who joined us as new Hole Sponsors this year,” Gienow added. “We are so very grateful for their support.”
Funds raised from the tournament will help with the purchase of 20 new evacusleds for St. Francis Memorial Hospital. Evacusleds are designed to reduce the risk of injury to patients and staff and are used during emergency evacuation situations. They are considered critical to ensure the safety of patients during times of extreme stress and uncertainty.
Each sled costs over $1,200.
“Although many of our events and programs have been impacted by Covid, our local healthcare providers still require the equipment they need to provide excellent healthcare, close to home,” Gienow said.
Match-It open to community donors this year
Thanks once again to our generous Match-It sponsors, the community can now join in on the Match-It incentive. Every dollar donated will be matched, dollar for dollar, by our Major and Friends Level sponsors.
Anyone interested can visit http://sfvhfoundation.com/ and click on the button below that says “Double Your Impact!” Donations can also be made by calling 613-756-3045 ext. 217 or by mailing a cheque (made out to SFVH Foundation) to: S FVH Foundation, P.O. Box 129, Barry’s Bay, ON, K0J 1B0.
Past players who donated this year, and anyone from the community who makes a donation, will be entered into the putting challenge. The name of each donor will be assigned to a volunteer putter, who will try to earn the most points on their behalf. The donor with the most points will win an amazing prize sponsored by the Ash Grove Inn.
Names will also be entered into a draw to win a fabulous mystery prize, sponsored by the Barry’s Bay Metro.
“We hope that next year, we can gather again together at the golf course for our traditional tournament,” Gienow said. “We miss all of your smiling faces this year, and we want you to know how humbled we are by your generosity during these uncertain times.”
50/50 tickets will be available to purchase during men’s and ladies’ day the week of the Virtual Charity Event at the Homestead at Wolf Ridge. Tickets will be $5.00 each and all proceeds support local healthcare, including the purchase of 20 evacusleds.
For more information, please contact the Foundation office at 613-756-3045 ext. 217 or email office@sfvhfoundation.com.
