What a night! Thank you to the Dairy Producers of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, the event committee, sponsors, auction item donors, and everyone who attended Dairy Cares 4 SD&G on March 25th. $187,488.12 was raised for local hospitals in our region, including $62,996.04 for the WDMH Foundation!
The evening included entertainment, presentations, and a live auction of 18 items that raised about $29,000. Auctioneer Brandon Scheepers got the crowd bidding on everything from homemade bread to a pressure tank to a three-night stay at Mont Tremblant.
Committee Chair Ryan Wert summed up the reason for giving back to local hospitals: “In a world that always seems to be driven in the fast lane, how many times do we pass by our hospitals and take for granted their presence in our communities? Like our dairy farms, they run 24/7, 365. Rain or shine, winter weather, economic turbulence … the doors are always unlocked, the lights are always on, and a group of special people, often total strangers, are there to help navigate what could be some of the most exciting, and often most troubling, times of our lives. Words cannot express our gratitude to the Glengarry Memorial Hospital, Cornwall Community Hospital, and Winchester District Memorial Hospital for their roles in our communities and our personal lives.”
“It truly was an evening where one hard-working industry showed appreciation and gave back to another! We are so grateful,” says Kristen Casselman, Managing Director of the WDMH Foundation. “Proceeds will be directed to our General Equipment Fund. Many people are surprised to learn that the provincial government does not fund the purchase of medical equipment for Ontario hospitals. To help ensure that the WDMH care team has the right tools to provide excellent health care for patients, the WDMH Foundation works with donors who care about local health care and who want to make an impact. Last year, because of generous donors, the WDMH Foundation was able to help purchase 106 new pieces of equipment for WDMH.”
