This past weekend’s Friends in Low Places Block Party was extra special for Renfrew Victoria Hospital.
While hundreds of concertgoers enjoyed a night of dancing and singing along to Garth Brooks tribute act Black Tie Affair, RVH Foundation Executive Director Patti Dillabough had the chance to welcome Beachburg’s John Vereyken on stage during intermission following his name being drawn in the hospital’s new 50/50 lottery.
She says the evening capped off a month-long pilot project that proved to be a crowd favourite.
Vereyken would hold on to his $3,302 jackpot for all of about ten seconds as he immediately announced to the crowd that his share of the proceeds would be sent directly back to RVH, doubling the amount raised for vital equipment purchases to $6,604.
The hospital’s Equip RVH campaign continues to be an important part of their push to improve health care close to home, as Dillabough points out that they rely exclusively on private fundraising to keep the hospital’s equipment up-to-date.
Meanwhile, the RVH Catch the Ace Lottery continues into Week 19’s draw on Thursday, with more than $50,000 already raised for the campaign.
(written by Kasey Egan)