The Wilkie & District Health Foundation has been busy raising funds for their new digital x-ray equipment. The equipment, in use since July, came at a cost of $387,000; $175,000 of which the foundation is responsible for covering.

“We decided it was important enough to our community to pay for it as a foundation,” said Stacy Hawkins, treasurer of the foundation.

The foundation kicked of their fundraising efforts in May with a BBQ and a wall of money. These initial, well-supported events brought in around $15,000.

More recently, the foundation hosted a fundraising concert and gala. Country music fans were treated to an afternoon show by the tribute band, Louisiana Hayride, and the evening had the community gather for an ‘Eat, Drink and Be Giving Gala.’

 

Hawkins, shared that both events had great turnouts with an all ages audience of about 300 taking in the concert. The gala was also well attended with just over 260 guests filling the Community Centre.

The day raised an impressive $28,900. This money will go toward costs for the x-ray machine, as well as for future capital purchases, as was stated by Hawkins.

“We have really found our community participation, our community interest has really picked up with these two fundraisers,” mentioned Hawkins, adding, “Going forward we will do more fundraising, perhaps every second year, just to keep awareness in the community about our foundation."

The Wilkie & District Health Foundation has a mandate to create and manage a fund to assist with health related expenditures within the Wilkie, Saskatchewan area.