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Stevenson Foundation hosts Home for the Holidays fundraiser

December 11, 2020   ·   0 Comments

During a time when bringing people together is not only frowned upon, it contradicts local regulations and restrictions, the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation found a way to bring people together in a way that was both keeping within restrictions and safe and fun at the same time.

Home for the Holidays featured a virtual event that combined dinner with a show and you didn’t even have to leave home to be a part of it.

You could, however, pick up dinner at the Nottawasaga Inn before the show and take it home with you.

The event was held on-line and broadcast from Stevenson B&B as well as from the kitchen at the Nottawasaga Resort and Murphy’s Farm.

The show was hosted by HGTV star Paul Lefrance and singer/songwriter Nicole Rayy performed.

“This is our first year doing the Home for the Holidays event and it is one of the first virtual events that we are trying now,” explained Whitney Neilson, Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation (Coordinator, Annual Giving, Stewardship and Donor Engagement). “People had two options. They could either watch the show from the comfort of their own home, or they could come to the Nottawasaga and pick up a dinner the Nottawasaga has made as well as a desert from Murphy’s Farm. There were two different price options. The show was a demonstration of how their dinner was made. Nottawasaga sous chef Travis did that. Travis gave some cooking tips. Then they had a demonstration by Hollis at Murphy’s Farm and she showed us how to make the merry berry pie at home. We had our hosts live at Stevenson B&B. They were our emcees for the night and Nicole performed a few times. They were both live. We got to do this in a safe and responsible way. They got a great meal and great entertainment but they were able to stay home and stay safe. It was a really fun way to raise some money and connect with some people and donors. It was a fun event for the holidays and help support Stevenson. It was nice to have a night out, even though it was a night in.”

There was also a silent auction with all items privately donated.

At the end of the evening, the event raised over $14,000.

“A lot of people threw in an extra $50 or $100 as a donation,” Ms. Neilson said. “We have some really awesome and loyal donors in this community. We had several people who didn’t buy a ticket but made a $500 donation online.”

The money raised will go towards the Foundation’s fund for “the greatest need” currently at the local hospital.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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