In a year where the COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered many fundraising events, The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital (FGGH) has found a safe and creative format to ensure the 25th anniversary of Black Tie Bingo takes place.
“This year’s event, ‘Black Tie Bingo – In a Box,’ marks the 25th continuous year of our fundraising gala which raises funds for essential patient care equipment,” says Elizabeth Stewart, Manager, Annual Giving, Marketing & Communications, FGGH. The ‘In a Box’ moniker refers to the fact that the event will be virtual and online attendees will have all of their food and party favours prepared and packaged in a box to enjoy in a home setting.
“Hosting a virtual gala is unknown territory for us but we’ve been fortunate to be able to reach out to other hospital foundations to find out what has worked well for them,” says Stewart. “Each year, our event is re-imagined with a creative twist, however the pandemic has forced us to re-imagine this year’s event like never before.”
Over the first 24 years of Black Tie Bingo, over $3.6 million in net fundraising revenue has been raised. Last year the event set a record, raising $300,000 in net proceeds. Proceeds went toward the purchase of 30 medication safety carts, allowing the Hospital to introduce brand new patient safety technology. In 2019 BTB funded specialized ICU beds, and in 2018, laparoscopic surgical equipment was purchased.
“Local community support is essential to purchasing patient care equipment which is not covered by government funding,” says Stewart.
This year’s Black Tie Bingo event will be live-streamed from The Grand Guelph Event Centre, with MC Sean Furfaro (Voice of Guelph Gryphons/Guelph Nighthawks) leading the program, which promises the usual high-calibre guest experience.
Foundation staff, along with the volunteer planning committee, are stretching their creativity as far as they can to incorporate interactive components to engage with guests throughout the live stream. “We want to provide opportunity for fun and laughs, and for our guests to feel connected to everyone who joins the live stream that night,” Stewart explained.
In prior years, all 420+ tickets have quickly sold out. The Foundation is hopeful that past guests will return this year despite the different format. They also hope to attract new attendees.
Two price tiers are being offered, a first in BTB’s history. Both tiers include full access to all the online activities including the live stream, online live and silent auctions – and of course playing BINGO!
The Grand Box is $225 per ticket. The accompanying celebration box will include charcuterie and a decadent 4-course meal, a guest memento, dining table décor, bingo supplies, wine, and mixings for a signature cocktail. There will be free delivery within Guelph and area, or pick up, or the option to pay for courier delivery for those outside of Guelph.
The Mini Box is $100 per ticket and includes a guest memento and bingo supplies. No delivery is offered on this option.
The gourmet meal will be prepared by Platters Catering and Events, owned by long-time Black Tie Bingo committee member and hospital supporter Kevin Malinski. Kevin is also the owner of The Grand Guelph where the event will live stream from.
“This is not the first time that Kevin has helped us through difficult Black Tie Bingo challenges. In 2018 he volunteered countless hours of his time to transform the former Sears space at The Stone Road Mall into a black-tie-worthy space after a flood forced us to change locations just ten weeks out from the event,” says Stewart.
Kevin and his Platters team will be preparing and packaging the food so that event participants can enjoy the meal at home with minimal effort on their part.
The success of this year’s event will once again depend on the support of many sponsors, prize and service donors, along with our dedicated volunteer committee and event volunteers, and of course, all the guests who participate this year. The Foundation is thrilled to welcome returning co-presenting sponsors The Co-operators and Meridian Credit Union for their seventh consecutive year as well as many other returning sponsors.
“We recognize that the pandemic has meant many challenges, but we are asking those who are able to consider supporting Black Tie Bingo as a prize donor or a guest,” says Stewart. “We have seen an incredible outpouring of support and compassion for our caregivers, especially over this past year. This gives us great confidence that our event will be a success.”
Funds raised will help bring new patient care technology into Guelph General Hospital's operating rooms, benefiting patients who are having surgery for breast cancer and those having surgery to treat vascular issues.
This year’s Black Tie Bingo has even greater significance because it coincides with the public phase of the Foundation’s $34 million fundraising campaign, Together, We Care.
The Together, We Care campaign will address urgent needs at Guelph General Hospital including expanding the Emergency Department and creating dedicated spaces for mental health and addictions care; investing in new patient care equipment and technology; and upgrading the Special Care Nursery to support their tiniest patients and their families.
“The equipment we hope to fund through Black Tie Bingo fits with the Together, We care campaign goal of investing in new patient care equipment and technology,” says Stewart. “All those who contribute towards or participate in this year’s Black Tie Bingo will be helping us reach our campaign goal, but most importantly, they will help Guelph General Hospital save lives and improve health.”
As the Together, We Care campaign motto goes, a strong community makes a hospital greater, and a great hospital makes a community stronger.
Tickets for the Saturday, March 6 event can be purchased up until February 17 online at BlackTieBingo.com. Questions can be directed to The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital at 519-837-6422 or at [email protected].