Hospital Help Day raises almost $71,500

Raffle winners receive prizes

Raffle winners from the 26th annual Hospital Help Day, a presentation of 989 XFM and the St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation (SMRHF) in support of St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, received their prizes Nov. 6 at Antigonish Market Square. The presenters and recipients included Sadie Benoit (left, SMRHF fund development associate), Ken Farrell (989 XFM general manager), Shelley Stewart ($3,000), David MacDonald (winter package), Julie and John Sloan ($1,000), Sisca Bekkers (shop local spree) and Wayne Ezekiel (SMRHF chair). Alanna Briand, who won the trip-for-two to Ireland, was unavailable for the photo. This year, the Oct. 30 radio-thon fundraiser garnered more than $71,000. Corey LeBlanc - Corey LeBlanc

ANTIGONISH, N.S. — ANTIGONISH, N.S. — It may not have been the sound of bells on Santa’s sleigh, but the ringing of the phones during the 26th annual Hospital Help Day helped put organizers and volunteers in the holiday spirit.
“It was amazing — they started, right away, and never stopped,” St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation (SMRHF) chair Wayne Ezekiel said of the calls that came in Oct. 30 during the 12-hour live broadcast on 989 XFM from Antigonish Market Square.
He noted that constant ringing started one evening earlier, when volunteers also took donations for the SMRHF fundraiser. It is a presentation of the foundation and venerable Antigonish-based broadcaster, both of which serve northeastern Nova Scotia.
When the phones stopped ringing, the event garnered almost $71,500.
“It has been several years since we raised that much,” SMRHF fund development associate Sadie Benoit said, noting it was the fifth time the annual fundraiser topped the $70,000 mark.
Hospital Help Day has amassed more than $1.26 million since its inception.
Each year, proceeds from the event go towards a purchase for St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, with this year’s target an ultrasound machine, which will be shared by the intensive care unit and operating room.
“It is going to be well used,” said ICU nurse Shelley Stewart.
She made that comment after collecting a $3,000 cheque as the grand prize winner in the Hospital Help Day raffle.
“No, not really,” Stewart said, with a laugh, when asked if she had decided how she will spend the money.
She added she was “happy to support” such a worthy cause.
“It is exciting to win and also know how important (the fundraiser) is,” Stewart said of the benefits to the hospital and the communities it serves.
Ezekiel said the great generosity of businesses in helping create improved prize packages was a key to the final tally.
"People loved them,” he added.
Ezekiel said heightened awareness of what SMRHF does and the ongoing needs of St. Martha’s, along with the exposure provided by initiatives such as the recent Hopes and Dreams community celebration, also contributed to the monetary success.
“The community stepped and supported us, once again,” he added.
Ken Farrell, 989 XFM general manager, agreed while praising the high level of support from not only sponsors, but also volunteers.
“We wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” he said.
Farrell described the ongoing support of the station’s listeners as “tremendous.”
He also called the effort of 989 XFM, who pitch in not only during the live event, but also with preparations — including promotions leading up to the fundraiser, as “huge.”
“It is not just on the day — people do not see everything that happens behind the scenes,” Benoit said.
Organizers reminded people to honour their pledges.
“Again, thank you to everyone for their tremendous support,” Ezekiel said.