Community Events are Important Fundraisers – and So Much More
Published Monday, January 27, 2025
Community Events are important fundraisers, but they are about so much more than just the money. They are a way for people to feel connected to their community and to do something that makes a difference.
Community Events built the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
The Foundation and the former Northern Cancer Research Foundation (NCRF), which merged in 2008, both started as grassroots organizations. It was about people coming together to bring more and better healthcare services to Thunder Bay.
That spirit lives on today in the many volunteer-driven Community Events in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
"Community events are close to my heart because they bring us all together to make a real difference in healthcare here in Northwestern Ontario,” said Selena Owen, Developmental Assistant – Events at the Health Sciences Foundation.
Some are high-profile events such as Dancing with the Docs, organized by siblings Patricia Del Paggio and Dr. Joseph Del Paggio, Chief of Oncology at the Hospital, in memory of their mother Nikki. Last year, Dancing with the Docs raised $180,000 to upgrade lab equipment that's vital to cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Rounding out the top five highest Community Event fundraisers for the Foundation last year are the Power of Hope Bonspiel in support of mental health services ($37,000), the Terrace Bay Urology Golf Tournament ($33,000), the J&J Save a Heart Raffle ($31,000), and the Rita Bannon Memorial Pool Tournament ($23,150).
Community Events can also be some of the most heart-warming. Anna and Casey's Lemonade Stand was a “sweet success” in 2023 and 2024, raising almost $7,000 total at the Jenna Wade Memorial Golf Tournament held in honour of their late aunt.
Then there's Mighty Mitch and Jungle Joe's Jigflies in Terrace Bay, selling pink jigflies to raise breast cancer funds and awareness, the Bay Village Heart Cookie Fundraiser: Baking Change for Heart Health, Queens Fight Cancer: United on the Ice for a Cause, and many others.
Although these Community Events are volunteer-driven, they don't have to go it alone. The Health Sciences Foundation works closely with organizers to help ensure they succeed. Hannah Deley, who launched Hannah Deley's Candle Fundraiser last summer, was one of those people.
“I went to Selena about a fundraiser I had in mind to gain awareness for young cancer patients like myself here in Northwestern Ontario,” Deley said. Her candles, made by Waxxed Candle Co., were so popular that many were backordered. “I wouldn't have been able to accomplish this milestone without Selena."
Jane Greshuk of Ham's Vision and Contact Centre's Visions of Hope: Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness through Community Spirit had a similar experience working with the Foundation.
“No matter if I had a little or big question, (Owen) was able to help me out and was very eager to do so,” Greshuk said. “I cannot thank her enough for all her help with everything. She always went above and beyond for me and the Breast Cancer world.”
Community Events are important fundraisers, but they are about so much more than just the money. They are a way for people to feel connected to their community and to do something that makes a difference. Volunteers will decide for many different reasons that they want to put together an event that will help support healthcare at home. Of course, there's always the chance to win a great prize with the Thunder Bay 50/50 Draw, but people sometimes want to do more than that. Community Events are about taking ownership of their community, gathering people together, and celebrating a win.
“Even though our Thunder Bay 50/50 Draw is a big success as a fundraiser, it can't replace these heart-warming events and community connections that are so important, too,” Owen said. “Besides, every dollar counts. Those two girls who raised $7,000 from lemonade sales know they made a big difference to local cancer care.”
Have an idea for an event of your own? Contact Selena Owen at Selena.Owen@tbh.net or 807-684-7788. You can check out all the Health Sciences Foundation's Upcoming Events here: www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/event-schedule
Article by Graham Strong