An event organized by the Dresden Rotary Club has fundraised over $22,000 towards new equipment for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA).
The Dresden Rotary Club hosted the "Lite Bite Final Push Community Kickoff" fundraiser at the Royal Canadian Legion in Dresden on Friday. The event raised $22,385 for the CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign.
Over 150 guests attended the event, which featured "The Final Push" organizers Dave Depencier and Dan Van Moorsel riding their training bikes throughout the evening.
The event was organized by the Dresden Rotary Club as a way to increase awareness and kick-off The Final Push’s fundraising efforts. The club also pledged to match all donations made during the Lite Bite event, up to $5,000.
“We had hoped that collectively the crowd would donate enough that we could fulfill our $5,000 match pledge,” says Stuart Kiar, Dresden Rotary Club secretary. “Raising over $22,000 in one night speaks to the importance of the equipment being supported through The Final Push, and how important it is to have this available in our own backyard.”
The Dresden Rotary Club presented Mary Lou Crowley, Foundation of CKHA (centre) with a $6,000 cheque in support of the Final Push. (Photo courtesy of CKHA)
In addition to a $6,000 donation by the Dresden Rotary Club donation, CK Ready Mix/Dresden Ready Mix presented a $5,000 donation to The Final Push. The Dresden Catherine McVean IODE Chapter also presented a $1,500 cheque in support of the event.
“This has been a fabulous kickoff to the month of The Final Push event, and the final month of our fundraising campaign,” said Mary Lou Crowley, Foundation of CKHA executive director. “Dave and Dan are very passionate about raising the funds needed to bring a new CT Scan to Chatham-Kent, and this event provided an exciting boost to their fundraising efforts.”
The Final Push's target fundraising goal is $100,000. So far, around $50,000 has been raised.
Residents are invited to The Final Push bike ride, which will start on May 23 at 7am at CKHA's Wallaceburg hospital site. People are also encouraged to ride along with Dave and Dan as they return to Chatham-Kent on May 28.
More details are available on The Final Push website.