The South Central Health District Foundation recognized the fund-raising efforts of dozens of supporters at their Donor Celebration, held April 20 at the Souris Valley Extended Care facility.
These donors, which include corporations, financial institutions, community groups and individuals, helped to raise $105,000 in support of medical equipment for the district during the 1998-99 fiscal year.
Special recognition was given to a number of donors for their generous pledges and heartfelt effort.
Among them was Doreen Brown. She made it her personal mission to raise enough money for an expensive CADD/PCA pump for the area, in memory of her late husband Garth, who had to travel out of town for his treatments.
Brown told the audience she had some doubts about raising the $4,800 needed to buy one pump. Soon service clubs in the area began to pitch in - especially the Goodwater Ladies Auxiliary, who donated enough money to buy one pump in the memory of member Carol White. In the end, the Brown-White Memorial fund purchased two machines for the district.
"May these gifts ease the pain of others," said Brown.
The Piwarski and Goski families also had a special story to tell, although they were a little modest about doing so.
Just before Christmas, the families got word that a seismic crew working in a field near their farms would not be able to get home for Christmas.
The 35-member crew came from every province in Canada. Half of the crew was from the Maritimes.
Mary Ann and Len Piwarski and Jean and Jack Goski, with the help of family members Ken and Camri Goski and Darby Goski, decided to put together a full Christmas meal for these workers.
"They were young, hungry guys who couldn't go home for Christmas, and we felt sorry for them," said Jean Goski.
In appreciation of this gesture, Pan Canadian donated $10,000 to the South Central Health District Foundation in the name of the two families.
A representative from the estate of George Scharnatta was on hand to receive thanks for the donation of $75,000, given to the South Central Health District Foundation to purchase medical equipment.
Other donors recognized that evening included CIBC, Royal Bank, Weyburn Credit Union, Bank of Montreal, Barber Motors, Great Plains Ford Ltd., Redcoat Plymouth Chrysler, and Weyburn Young Fellows, all completing three-year pledges; along with Order of the Royal Purple, Rotary Club of Weyburn, Weyburn and District Lions and Lionesses, Weyburn YF Wives, and the Royal Canadian Legion, who contributed to the Brown-White Memorial; and SaskTel, Ken and Brad Johner, York's Jewelry, Ernest and Lorraine Elder, the staff of Carson Welding and Maintenance, and the WGH Auxiliary making individual pledges.
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