Gala guests pledge $120K toward high-tech 3D printer for hospital STINKING GOOD TIME
More than 50 people stood up Friday night at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Gala and pledged $1,000 each to buy a state-of-the-art 3D printer.
“Their support will position the Glenrose to be the first hospital in Canada to acquire this system and will keep us on the leading edge of rehabilitation,” said Wendy Dugas, the foundation’s president and CEO.
She told nearly 800 guests at the Courage Gala at the Shaw Conference Centre the machine will print lower extremity sockets to support patients who have lost a leg.
“It will help produce prosthetics much faster and save some 1,600 staff hours and $85,000 annually,” said Dugas. “Funds previously pledged by other guests make up the $120,000 printer cost.”
Sports talk and radio host Jason Gregor led the cash call and without naming them, invited “a banker who has helped light the High Level Bridge” and “a hockey player who has played in 1,000 NHL games” to stand and donate.
ATB President and CEO Dave Mowat and Kevin Lowe of the Oilers Entertainment Group were warmly applauded when they stood.
A week’s stay at a Luxus fourbedroomed private residence in the Dominican Republic, valued at $25,000, sold twice for $24,000, and Todd Grundy, the principal of Arpi’s North mechanical contractors, bought a VIP table with special dishes and wine pairings for $15,000.
Emcee Carrie Doll was thanked for bringing such warm leadership to the evening and Jared and Jessica Smith drew applause when they handed their co-chair positions over to Aly and Naila Jivraj, who own a group of fastfood restaurants in Edmonton and San Diego.
If you’re catching a little stink in the air, it’s probably garlic.
“We’ve imported nearly 2,000 kilograms of garlic for our 27th annual Garlic Festival,” says Stella Rago who founded and owns the Sorrentino’s restaurants with husband Carmelo.
“We expect more than 100,000 guests to dine on garlic dishes at our six restaurants and our Bistecca Italian Steakhouse before it ends May 11.”
The festival, Canada’s largest garlic festival, began last week when CTV chief meteorologist Josh Classen was crowned Garlic King and Chelsea Bird, 104.9 Virgin Radio morning host, was crowned queen.
They will act as garlic ambassadors during the festival, whose fundraising efforts will back the Support a Stay initiative at Sorrentino’s Compassion House.
A festival highlight is the Mini Garlic Stomp May 6 at Downtown Sorrentino’s. The lavish event is sponsored by Bill and Grace Knight and their son Steven of Three Knights Investment.
ON HOME COURT
Taking precautions to remain healthy while Edmonton Opera stages Mozart’s Don Giovanni on Tuesday and Friday this week is local singer Cara McLeod.
“I was asked to jump in and sing Donna Elvira two weeks ago when Lebanese-Canadian soprano Miriam Khalil slipped and fell on ice and injured her leg,” says McLeod.
The singer is avoiding slippery surfaces, does physical warm-ups every day and takes lots of rest.
The soprano, a former student at Sherwood Park’s Archbishop MacDonald High School, had no ambitions to become an opera singer. But later, a legal secretary and singing with choirs, she was impressed by solo performers. She returned to college in Fort McMurray and went on to the University of Western Ontario to graduate with a diploma in voice.
“With family and friends present this week, it will be like singing on home court.”
GOOD ZEBRA TIMES
Physiotherapist Grant Fedoruk has introduced me to his gravity-free treadmill and exercises in a wave pool as I struggle back from a hip injury in time to take part in the June 9-10 Leduc-Camrose bike ride supporting MS.
But I didn’t realize he was as innovative in other areas until I saw him in a zebra costume.
“Sunday, May 6, is the eighth year of our RunWild races, an event that to date has raised $400,000 for the Zebra Child Protection Centre and the
St. Albert Seniors Association,” said Fedoruk.
“I dress in costume to encourage others to have fun when they run in our 5-km, 10-km and 21.1km walks and the MaraFun.” The MaraFun?
Kids run about a kilometre at their own pace each day.
“The idea is on the final day, they run 1.3 km to complete the 42.2-km marathon,” says Fedoruk.
For more information go to www.runwild.ca.