'Gbay Gals Give' proves power in numbers while helping community
A group of women in Georgian Bay are proving giving back to the community doesn't have to be stressful.
The GBay Gals Give held its spring donation event Monday evening. The group of women, which now numbers at approximately 250 members, gives back to various charities throughout the community two times a year.
"We get together for a glass of wine to give money to fulfill the needs of our community," said Kathy Elsdon Befort, the committee chair. "We're here for an hour or two, and we go home. The whole concept is simple and to be impactful and to be together."
On Monday night, the group presented Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) with $43,800, which will be targeted toward the hospital's fundraising campaign for a new MRI.
"They chose the hospital, I think because that need will service everyone within our community," said Elsdon Befort. "An MRI will serve everyone that's here that needs any medical attention."
GBGH is working to raise four million dollars over the next two years for a new MRI machine.
"We're seeing almost 4000 patients travel out of the community to Barrie, Orillia or sometimes even farther down to Toronto for an MRI, so bringing that care closer to home is integral, and we know that it's breaking down those barriers to access," said Nicole Kraftscik, the GBGH Foundation CEO.
Since starting in 2018, the group has raised over $350,000 for 11 local charities. Members each give $200 and gather for an hour twice a year with no other time commitments or obligations.
"We're just so grateful to everyone for coming out and being part of this and donating and spending time together as women in our community that care about the needs within our town," said Elsdon Befort.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Luxury cruise line selling world cruise suite for US$1.7 million
Luxury operator Regent Seven Seas Cruises is raising their price tag to eye-watering levels, with a suite on an upcoming 140-day world voyage costing US$1.7 million.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
A Filipino villager is nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday to pray for world peace
A Filipino villager has been nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
King Charles will attend Easter Sunday service at Windsor
Buckingham Palace officials say King Charles III and Queen Camilla will attend an Easter service at the chapel at Windsor Castle on Sunday.