On August 26th, the Huntingdon Hospital hosted the 28th Annual Golf Tournament, welcoming nearly 100 golfers to the course, and nearly twice that amount of guests for their beef supper.
This year, the Huntingdon Hospital’s annual golf tournament raised a little over $28,500, with $10,000 being donated by the local Caisse Populaire. The weather held out for a beautiful day of golf, followed by a beef supper, attended by nearly 180 people.
Beginning with a BBQ express sponsored by the Caisse Populaire, 94 golfers arrived at the Club de Golf St. Anicet on Wednesday afternoon. With a best ball game being encouraged, tee off was at 12:30. Along with the availability of golf carts (made possible by Robert Walsh), the course was flush with sponsored holes, including a 4th hole snack break, sponsored by IGA Huntingdon Supermarché Bergeron. The generous merchant also sponsored a hole in one for $10,000.00. While no one was lucky enough to collect the prize money this year, two stunning paintings were raffled off to guests. The evening finished with a supper to celebrate yet another triumphant year of fundraising for the hospital’s foundation. Following supper, a presentation was made to former board member Donald Davidson, who was honoured with a painting by Louise Lachance Legault. As for the success of the day, local merchants played a notable role in making the fundraiser into the success it was. “We are so grateful to the community who support us,” said board member Debbie Clement of the experience.
Over the past 27 years, the hospital’s foundation has raised over $256,696 through the golf tournament (formally known as the Dr. McCrimmon tournament). All donated funds go exclusively to the Huntingdon County Hospital’s long-term care facility. Past fundraising efforts have resulted in numerous improvements for the hospital, including the purchase of therapeutic mattresses, specialized exercise bicycles and a BladderScan. One of the biggest updates to the hospital in recent years was the addition of the second floor solarium, also funded by the proceeds of the golf tournament. Completed in 2014, the addition offers a beautiful view of the river to residents year round. One of the goals this year was to raise enough funds to renovate the sitting area in the front of the center in order to create a pleasant outdoor area for residents. Volunteer efforts are the sole source of funding for these projects (there are several fundraising groups associated with the hospital), as there have been severe budget cuts to healthcare establishments across the province.
Next year’s tournament will be held on August 31st, so mark your calendars if you’d like to support the Huntingdon County Hospital’s cause.
