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Power of Giving Gala raises funds and awareness for mental health expansion

On Saturday, September 24, 2022, the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation hosted the Power of Giving Hybrid Gala, in person at Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene and online through the Foundation’s You Tube channel. The event, presented by Faris Team Real Estate Brokerage, raised more than $385,000 for the Foundation’s Impact Fund, which addresses the highest priority capital needs for GBGH. 

One of the key priorities on the horizon for the hospital is building a comprehensive acute mental health program. This was the inspiration for the event’s focus on mental health awareness and advocacy. To bring that focus to life, the evening’s program included award-winning humanitarian, bestselling author and physician Dr. Samantha Nutt. Dr. Nutt spoke to the audience about her experience caring for patients with mental illness in a small community.

“In those really critical moments, when what you really need is support, some therapy, a diagnosis, maybe some medication, maybe a brief or extended hospitalization, every layer that gets added, every distance that gets built in to the challenge of accessing that care, puts that person’s life at risk,” shared Dr. Nutt. “Tonight is about achieving different outcomes, about removing the barriers that so many people in our communities face when it comes to accessing mental health care.” 

Building on the theme of mental health, Power of Giving guests learned more about the proposed acute mental health program for GBGH through a very powerful video featuring the Foundation’s executive director, Nicole Kraftscik, who shared her own struggle with mental illness.  

“People are getting lost in this system, and people are suffering,” shared Kraftscik. “And, whether it’s your neighbour, your grandmother, your father, or brother or sister, mental health does not discriminate. I know what care can look like when it’s all in one building, and I want that for my hospital…for your hospital…for GBGH.” 

Collectively, through generous donations made during the event, business sponsorship, ticket sales, online auction and sales of the Gbay Bag, more than $385,000 was raised for the Foundation’s Impact Fund. 

Anyone interested in watching the event can do so through the Foundation’s You Tube Channel.  You can also watch Nicole’s personal mental health story here.

To learn more about Mental Health services at Georgian Bay General Hospital, click here. 

General Roméo Dallaire to co-host Power of Giving Hybrid Gala

On Saturday, September 24, 2022, the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation will host the Power of Giving Hybrid Gala at Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene. With both in-person and virtual options available, this year’s event is presented by Faris Team Real Estate Brokerage, and will be co-hosted by Power of Giving committee chair, Sara Lankshear and General Roméo Dallaire.

A celebrated advocate for human rights, General Dallaire is a respected author, government and UN advisor, and former Canadian Senator. Throughout his long and distinguished military career, General Dallaire most notably led the UN peacekeeping mission in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide when 800,000 lives were brutally taken in less than 100 days.  His courage and leadership during that mission, and his decades-long battle with PTSD, have earned him international respect and commendation which continue to this day.

“We are honoured to have General Dallaire join us for this year’s Power of Giving Gala,” says Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation. “He is a passionate speaker, and a courageous advocate for mental health. He has devoted decades of passionate leadership and advocacy to the issue of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and we are privileged to have him share his insight and experience with us as co-host on September 24.”

In addition to hearing from General Dallaire, guests attending in person will enjoy an outdoor experience including a welcome cocktail, delicious hors d’oeuvres, live art demonstration from local artist, Alex McLaughlin and live musical entertainment from Toronto-based singer/songwriter Nelson Sobral.  Through ticket sales, online auction, live fundraising and sales of Georgian Bay (Gbay) Bags, the event plans to raise $250,000 for the GBGH Foundation’s Impact Fund.

“The Impact Fund addresses the highest priority needs identified by the team at GBGH,” says Kraftscik. “Building a comprehensive acute mental health program at our hospital, and bringing more mental health beds to our region, is a top priority, and that’s why we are focusing on the critical need for more acute mental health services at this year’s gala.”

Tickets to attend the Power of Giving Gala in person are $150 each, while virtual event attendance is free with pre-registration. The in-person event begins at 5pm, following by the live stream at 7pm. For more information, to purchase tickets or to register, visit www.GIVE2GBGH.ca or contact the Foundation office (foundation@gbgh.on.ca or 705-526-4483).