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Local Lions spark a challenge for MRI

On October 13, 2023, members of the Victoria Harbour Lions Club presented the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation with a cheque for $1,000. This generous gift will help bring a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to the local hospital, which is a priority that holds special meaning for the club as some members have had to travel for this important test.

The Victoria Harbour Lions Club is challenging other local Lions Clubs to match their gift, for even greater collective impact. The Penetang Lions Club already joined in on the fun with a $2,000 gift to the Cedar Ridge BBQ fundraiser held in July.

From left: Dennis Esterbrooks, president, Victoria Harbour Lions Club; Lawrence Campbell and Graham Wenn, Victoria Harbour Lions Club; and Victoria Evans, community giving officer, GBGH Foundation.

Guys Who Care invest in MRI technology

There was a lot to be celebrated at the Guys who Care Fall event on Monday, October 23, 2023. In addition to the usual business of gathering together to support one lucky North Simcoe charity, the group also presented the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation with a cheque for $46,000. This special donation is designated to the MRI Fund at GBGH, to help bring this vital technology to the Midland Hospital.

In September, Guys Who Care organizers recognized that the MRI campaign was likely going to be a popular nomination at the October meeting, and chose to add in a special fundraiser outside of the regular bi-annual get-togethers.

“We wanted to do something special for GBGH to give the MRI campaign a boost, and still be able to support another deserving charity in October,” shared Mike Thor, member of Guys Who Care. “James Layter and I decided to challenge the Guys by offering a joint match gift [$10,000 each, up to a total of $20,000] for all donations before our meeting on the 23rd.”

With more than ten days before the fall event, 43 members of Guys Who Care had donated $26,000 in response to the match gift, with many gifts exceeding the usual membership donation of $200.

“Given the importance of bringing an MRI to GBGH, we are thrilled to receive this gift from the Guys Who Care in North Simcoe,” said Matthew Lawson, president and CEO, GBGH, who was in attendance. “We have been overwhelmed with support from this community. The fundraising has been going faster than anticipated, which has allowed us to continue to move at a rapid pace in getting the expansion built so we can get MRI up and running as soon as possible.”