We were so pleased to have hosted a record number of guests to our signature event on Saturday, October 21st, 2023! The newly branded Spirit Gala, presented by Peninsula Co-op was held at Mary Winspear Centre, where we transformed the Bodine Hall to reflect this year’s theme – Celestial Celebration. This year we raised our biggest total ever of $618,000 – simply incredible!
It was an out-of-this-world evening, from the wines, to the three course meal, to the ‘celestial’ lighting and decor. SPH’s Spiritual Health Practitioner, Oceanna Hall generously donated her time and skill by offering guests tarot readings. Cascadia Strings had us playing name-that-tune with their rendition of pop songs in classical form and we surprised and delighted our guests with a performer from Rising-Victoria Centre for Circus Arts! We were inspired by our special speakers, this year’s Campaign Chair, Dr. Ambrose Marsh; Saanich North and the Islands MLA Adam Olsen and Island Health’s Marko Peljhan, Vice President, Clinical Services Central/South Island and Provincial Programs as well as our newly appointed SPHHF Board Chair, Chris Straub. Tom Watson led us through the evening as our emcee and our thanks go out to Jim Sinclair for his auctioneering skill during the live auction. The night wrapped up with band Shaky Ground, who had us on our feet dancing the night away to decades of classic hits.
There were a record number of sponsors this year and local businesses played a significant role in the success of the gala by generously donating a wide array of items for both online and live auctions. There were so many exciting opportunities to support the needs of patients and staff, ensuring that Saanich Peninsula Hospital remains a centre of excellence in our community.
From Board Chair, Chris Straub, “People in this community feel very strongly about our hospital. That sentiment was clear to see at the Gala, where supporters donated a record-breaking $618,000. The generosity of our donors is truly inspiring, and the Foundation looks forward to putting their contributions to work for our hospital in the most effective possible way.”
The proceeds from this event will support the Foundation’s largest ever fundraising campaign to raise $15Million for the renovation of the Acute Care Unit (ACU) at the hospital. The renovations and upgrades will provide a safer and enhanced patient experience, make staff spaces more efficient, and create more functional areas for patient, family, and staff interactions. The result will be a significant improvement for everyone both now and in the future.
Says Dr. Ambrose Marsh, “Issues of privacy, new standards in infection control and our ongoing migration to a totally paperless health care system make the renovation of ACU a vital endeavor.”
Our thanks to our presenting sponsor Peninsula Co-op and to sponsors: Island Paving, The McNaughton Group (Scotia Wealth Management), Graphic Office Interiors, Sidney All Care, Henley & Straub, Amica Beechwood Village, Brink Events, Decorate Victoria, Mary Winspear Centre, Truffles Inspired Catering, Alliance Engineering Works, Holy Cow Communication Design, Coast Dental Care, Island Floor Centre, Finlayson Bonet Architecture, Slegg Building Materials, Michele Holmes Collective, Citta Group, Butler, d.g.bremner & co., Used.ca, Hendra Moving & Storage, Golf for Kids, McElhanney, Seaside Magazine, Chek, Black Press and Peninsula News Review.
Thanks to our live auction donors: Russ Hay’s The Bicycle Shop (Sidney), Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse, Frank and Laurie Van Bree, Hendra Moving & Storage, D’Arcy Levesque, WestJet, David Bremner, d.g.bremner&co., Kim Bremner, Good Bones Clothing Co.
Gratitude to the silent auction donors: Alexanderʼs Coffee, Arbutus Ridge Golf Club, Atticus Clothing, Bayshore Home Health, Brentwood Community Wellness, Buddies Toy Store, Butterfly Gardens, Cameron Rose, CastArt Studios, Chemainus Theatre Festival, CommuniCanine, Country Grocer, Craigdarroch Castle, Danʼs Farm and Country Market, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, Empress Hotel Tea Room, Eurosa Farms, Expedia Cruises, Farmerʼs Daughter, Fickle Fig Farm Market, Five and Dime Diner, Float House Victoria, Flying Fish Winery, Four Paws Pet & Grocery Boutique, Fox Moto Rent, Fresh Cup Roastery Café, Geoff Bate of Shaky Ground (Band), Hansel & Halkett, Hastings House (Salt Spring Island), Holmes Realty, House of Lily Koi, Hughesman Morris Liversedge Chartered Professional Accountants, Il Terrazzo, Iris Optometrists and Opticians, Janis Jean Photography, Karen Booth, Kiddinʼ Around, L.A. Limousines, Macaloneyʼs Island Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery, Matshop Art Supplies, McTavish Academy of Art, Michele Holmes, Milestones Grill and Bar, Miss Bliss Boutique, Moden Boutique, Moden Men, Muffet and Louisa, Pacific Heat Pumps, Panorama Recreation, Pattison Media (100.3 The Q! & The Zone @ 91.3), Politano Café, Provenance Fine Things Ltd., Rachel Meadows, Rascals Pet Market, Robert Bateman, Rogersʼ Chocolates, Royal BC Museum, Salvador Davis & Co, Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, Sheila Mather, Sheringham Distillery, Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, Sidney Waterfront Inn & Suites, Slegg Building Materials, Smart Dog Training, SPHHF Board Directors, Star Cinema, Stillhead Distillery, Stones Jewellery, Tannerʼs Books, The Butchart Gardens, The Market Stores, Thrifty Foods – Sidney, Tidewater Art Studio, Tim Maloney & Karen Morgan, Truffles Inspired Catering, Unsworth Vineyards, Victoria Distillers – Empress Gin, Victoria Symphony, White Spot.
