Editor’s Note: These recent reports of donations for local healthcare have been submitted by St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation.
Barry’s Bay Tim Hortons provides thousands of reasons to smile
An incredible $11,863 was raised through the sale of cookies during Smile Cookie Week, which ran from April 27 to May 4, 2025. Barry’s Bay Tim Hortons chose St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation (SFVHF) as the beneficiary of Smile Cookie Week with funds to be directed to local healthcare needs. The Foundation raises funds for Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care (MVHPC), St. Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH) and Valley Manor (VM). Thank you to the owners, staff, volunteers and of course patrons, who supported this fundraiser! Over the years, Barry’s Bay Tim Hortons has raised over $77,000 from the sale of Smile Cookies for the Foundation. Pictured from left (back): SFVHF board members Shawn Gregory, VM Director of Care Chantel Brown, SFMH Chief Operating Officer Greg McLeod, MVHPC Program Assistant Constance Van Hoof, SFMH Executive Assistant Joanne Pecarskie, SFVHF Board Chair Cheryl Reid, SFVHF Executive Director Erin Gienow. At front from left: Barry’s Bay Tim Horton’s Owner Jason Armstrong and Tim Hortons Manager Chantel Kedroskie. Photo submitted.
Catch The Ace Lottery
The Catch the Ace lottery is an initiative by the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation to raise funds for essential medical equipment and services at our local healthcare partners, including St. Francis Memorial Hospital. This allows healthcare to remain local, and available when we need it most.
Catch the Ace tickets are available for $10 each and can be purchased online at sfvhfcatchtheace.com or at the following local retailers: Round Lake Centre Food Market, Round Lake Country Store, Killaloe Village Pharmacy, Killaloe Hardware, Foundation Office, Barry’s Bay Ultramar, Lorraine’s Pharmasave, Barry’s Bay Shell, CO Country Market, The Cottage Cup, Eganville Shell, Conway’s Pharmacy, Village Discount & Variety, and Ramona’s Hairstyling.
It’s hard to believe that this popular progressive lottery has already brought prize winnings to three lucky residents. Here they are:
The St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation is thrilled to announce our first Catch the Ace weekly winner! Christie Gratton of Killaloe took home the weekly prize after her mom purchased her a ticket and selected her favourite Catch the Ace number – envelope 51—which revealed the four of clubs! Christie is splitting the prize with her mom and sister, and plans on enjoying a nice dinner with her winnings.
A longtime supporter of Catch the Ace who really needed some good news had her name pulled in the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation’s Week #2 Catch the Ace.
Melissa Brotton’s daughter had recently been rushed to St. Francis Memorial Hospital and diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis in her finger. Thanks to the quick thinking of emergency staff, she was whisked away to an Ottawa hospital, where, at the time of the draw, she remained in the ICU.
Understanding the difficulties Melissa was facing, her sister Ramona purchased a Catch the Ace ticket on her behalf and selected envelope 25. Although the envelope revealed the Ten of Spades, it meant that Melissa took home the weekly prize of $638.00! Melissa, who hadn’t been back home to Madawaska since the weekend, waited until her daughter was stable to pick up her prize.
“The staff at St. Francis Memorial Hospital saved my daughter’s life,” Melissa said. “This prize couldn’t have come at a better time.” Melissa plans on using the winnings to support her travel expenses to Ottawa.
The St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation is thrilled to announce our latest Catch the Ace weekly winner! Dianne Kosnaski of Barry’s Bay took home the weekly prize after purchasing her ticket at the Barry’s Bay Ultramar. She chose number 36 since it’s a special number to her. While her envelope revealed the four of diamonds, she’s still going home with the weekly prize of $680.00! Dianne had just purchased herself a new fridge, and plans on using her winnings to help pay for it. Next week’s estimated weekly prize is $900, and the progressive jackpot is sitting at $4,016—if you uncover the Ace of Spades, you’re winning both: approximately $5,586! Get your tickets online at www.sfvhfcatchtheace.com until Wednesday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m. Or purchase in person until Thursday, May 22 until around 1:00 p.m. at any of the following locations: Round Lake Centre Food Market, Round Lake Country Store, Killaloe Village Pharmacy, Killaloe Hardware, Foundation Office, Barry’s Bay Ultramar, Lorraine’s Pharmasave, Barry’s Bay Shell, CO Country Market, The Cottage Cup, Eganville Shell, Conway’s Pharmacy, Village Discount & Variety, and Ramona’s Hairstyling. Don’t miss your chance to Catch the Ace—and a great prize!
Rockin’ with the Valley Manor Rockathon
On June 20th the fourth annual Rockathon event will take place in the beautiful courtyard at Valley Manor. It’s time for some training in your favourite rocking chair. Individuals and teams can register now and start collecting sponsors’ pledges. Click HERE to check out the details at the SFVHF website.