BY TAMARA VON ESTORFF
Burlington residents got a chance to help Joseph Brant Hospital by sipping fine wine and sampling fancy food last weekend.
Burlington Fairview Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC dealership hosted its annual fundraiser event, Savour The Night. It is a culinary event where people get to try different varieties of food, wine and beer tastings, and be ravished by entertainment.
The purpose of the event is to raise funds for Joseph Brant Hospital so it can buy new emergency state-of-the-art patient beds. Each bed roughly costs $10,000. The committee’s main goal is to raise $50,000, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the hospital.
Around 400 people attended the event. Local vendors set up booths with food and beverages, including Bento Box, Joe Dogs, Jackson’s Landing, The Works, Paradiso, Turtle Jacks, Mill St. Brewery, and Blackfly. Entertainment included a photo booth, a pianist, and a magician.
Also in attendance was Burlington’s new mayor-elect, Marianne Meed-Ward, a former journalist at CBC, Toronto Sun, and CHCH News.
A silent auction offered pieces of artwork and gift baskets full of chocolate. People made bids on items by signing papers and whoever bid last won the prize. They also held a raffle contest for the big prize of the night, which was a basket of wine.
Overall, it was a great turnout, but the committee claims that it was not easy to organize.
“The biggest challenge on the Joseph Brant Committee is gathering local vendors, sponsors, and getting all of the volunteers together,” says Betty Greiser. “It takes a lot of footwork, going to door to door, asking local restaurants to come on board, as well as sponsors and items for a raffle and silent auction.”
Despite the chaotic process of organizing the event, Greiser says she is passionate about her work.
“It’s an awesome feeling being able to help our fellow brothers and sisters in need – where something as simple as modern beds can ease suffering and increase the betterment of patient care,” she said.
As for the committee’s current priorities, Greiser says they are hoping to send out the funds immediately.
“We want to distribute those funds as soon as possible,” she said. “The committee will meet again and review the success of the event, extend our gratitude to the sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and community, and after that, we will begin to put our heads together and see what will be able to accomplish in 2019.”
Greiser also says she wants to spread the word out to get more volunteers to help out with future events.
“It helps when the word is out to the community of what we are trying to accomplish, and it is great that local restaurants and vendors continue to be supported for their volunteer efforts as they are such a huge part of a successful event.”
If you are interested in helping out with this wonderful cause, you can visit Joseph Brant Hospital and sign up to be a volunteer. If you want to donate, you can visit their website.
