'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
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.