Smiles are as big as the Cheshire Cat's after an Alice's Adventures in Wonderland themed fundraiser for Louise Marshall Hospital brought in $32,500 more than officials had hoped.
The 4th annual gala event, dubbed 'Adventures in Wonderland', saw more than 450 people gather at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex on June 15. The night included a champagne welcome, playing card guards, toadstools, butler frogs, flamingo croquet, a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party photo booth, and even a rabbit hole. Those in attendance were able to bid on dozens of silent and live auction items before dining and dancing the night away.
Prior to the event, Mount Forest Louise Marshall Hospital (LMH) Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital, had set a fundraising goal of $112,500. The event actually brought in more than $145,000, foundation officials announced on Friday.
"We are so grateful for how the community came together to support both the gala and Louise Marshall Hospital," Amy Van Huss, the executive director of the LMH Foundation, said in a statement. "From our sponsors, to the businesses who donated to our auctions, the team of volunteers who helped build and construct the fantastic decor, our set-up and clean-up crew, the guests that purchased tickets, and many more, we couldn’t have accomplished what we did without them all. We are so thankful to everyone who helped us achieve our goal this year.”
The money raised through the one-night event will go toward the purchase of a replacement ECG cart and software platform upgrades for the hospital. Any money left over will be directed toward other capital equipment and projects the LMH Foundation has committed to funding.
The foundation added that it has already started work planning next year's gala.