Fort William Rotary Club Announces $500,000 Donation to the Our Hearts At Home Campaign
Published Wednesday, September 23, 2020
The Fort William Rotary Club has been supporting organizations in Northwestern Ontario for the past 33 years thanks to proceeds from their annual House Lottery. Today, Cynthia Judge, President of the Fort William Rotary Club announced, on behalf of the Club’s members, a $500,000 donation to the Our Hearts At Home Cardiovascular Campaign to bring life- and limb-saving cardiovascular surgery to Northwestern Ontario. This adds to the over $5.5M the Fort William Rotary Club has previously donated to various organizations in the past several decades thanks to proceeds from their annual House Lottery.
“I think we can all agree that having local access to health care has always been important to us, and the pandemic has made this even more of a priority,” said Judge. “Currently, Thunder Bay is the only major city in Ontario where access to cardiac surgery is over a day’s drive away. It’s our time to change that reality and make sure our families, friends and neighbours can have life-saving surgery here at home.”
This year’s House Lottery, which will wrap up Oct 12 with the Grand Prize Draw of new home, has looked very different than years past, with ticket sales moving online and no open houses. “It was a lot of work for the Fort William Rotary Club to ensure we could continue to hold the House Lottery,” said Dave Knutson, Chair of the House Lottery Committee, Fort WIlliam Rotary Club. “The reason we were so motivated to keep the House Lottery going was because we recognize what an impact the funds raised have in our community.”
Much of the success of the annual House Lottery comes from the support of residents of Thunder Bay and beyond who purchase tickets for the chance to win a beautiful new home. This year’s home was built by Lormar Construction (Mario Micheli) in the River Terrace neighbourhood. It features 5 bedrooms, along with a fully finished basement, kitchen appliances and a big-screen TV. Overall the house is valued at $589,946. Added Knutson, “It even has a heated garage for those cold days we know are coming soon!”
Time is running out to purchase tickets with the Grand Prize draw just weeks away. Knutson encouraged people to get them before they’re gone. “We are at 91% sold and it’s our hope that we have another sellout this year, as every ticket sold makes sure we can give back significantly to our community.” Tickets are $100 each or 3 for $250 and can be purchased online at fwrotary.ca or by filling in a form and mailing it in.
“The support from the Fort William Rotary Club is astounding and we are so grateful the Club’s members have chosen to get behind cardiovascular surgery in such a big way,” said Meaghan Sharp, Chief Nursing Executive, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre; Director, Cardiovascular Sciences Program; and NextGen Cabinet Member of the Our Hearts At Home Cardiovascular Campaign. “You can never underestimate the power of home,” added Sharp. “I had to leave town for cardiac surgery myself six years ago, and I know the toll the trip takes on patients and families. It’s very difficult on the patient, certainly, but I think it’s even more difficult on the caregiver who must accompany them. Thanks to the generous donation from the Fort William Rotary Club, patients will have access to surgery that can save their lives, while allowing them to have their families at their sides.”
Donations to the Our Hearts At Home Campaign can be made:
Online: OurHeartsAtHome.ca
Phone: (807) 345-4673
In Person: At the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (Donation Centre). Please call ahead so someone can meet you outside to receive your donation.
By Mail: c/o Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, 980 Oliver Rd. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6V4
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For more information, please contact:
Heather Vita, Director, Marketing and Communications
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation
Tel: 684-7111
Cell: 631-3793
E-mail: Heather.Vita@healthsciencesfoundation.ca
Web: Healthsciencesfoundation.ca OurHeartsAtHome.ca