Community Support Helps Raise $325,000 for Healthcare Initiatives

This year’s James Bond-themed Hearts for Healthcare Gala brought the Cold Lake community together for an unforgettable night of elegance, entertainment, and fun. Held on May 4th, 2024, the event was an explosive success, raising an impressive $325,000 to support local healthcare initiatives.

The evening kicked off with a warm welcome from our hilarious Masters of Ceremonies, Christina Kean and Rob Brassard, who kept everyone laughing and entertained throughout the night. Guests were treated to a gourmet dinner prepared by Joly’s Fine Cuisine, and the night was packed with fun activities, including a live auction, silent auction, casino games, and the ever-popular “first to eat” auction.

The community’s support was evident through generous contributions from major sponsors such as the City of Cold Lake, MD of Bonnyville, Canadian Natural, Imperial Cold Lake, Cenovus Energy, Lakeland Credit Union, Jonathan D. Fischer Foundation, and Boston Pizza. Their support was crucial in making the night a huge success and will go a long way in supporting local healthcare programs.

We had some special moments too! The Healthcare Excellence Award went to Napoleon Gabilan, and the Nursing Excellence Award was given to Elesha Kaczmar, both for their amazing contributions to our community. A heartfelt tribute was also made to Eva Urlacher, celebrating her retirement after many years of dedicated service on our board of directors.

The Community Appeal, focusing on women’s health initiatives, was a big highlight. Thanks to generous donations, including $14,500 from the City of Cold Lake, $5,400 from Royal LePage Northern Lights Realty, $5,000 from Cenovus Energy, and $3,200 from Mamacitas Cold Lake, we raised funds for essential women’s health equipment such as laparoscopic hysterectomy equipment and an electronic breast pump.

Our volunteers were the real stars of the night, coming from all corners of the community, including Cold Lake Brewing and Distilling, Cold Lake High School Graduation Committee, Titans Boxing Club, Cold Lake Fighter Jets, Cold Lake Fire & Rescue, and Watch Dog Security. They worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Entertainment for the night was top-notch, with the Uptown Band getting everyone on the dance floor and a spectacular James Bond live-action performance by Knox Industries that wowed the crowd. Casino games added an extra layer of excitement, and Game Day Grill kept everyone fueled with a delicious midnight lunch.

We also want to extend a huge thank you to the Gala Committee for their hard work throughout the year. Their dedication and effort made this event possible and ensured it was a night to remember.

Everyone had a blast, and the feedback has been fantastic. The community is already buzzing with excitement for next year’s gala, and planning is in the works to make it even better.

Hearts for Healthcare extends a huge thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers, committee members, and everyone who attended. Your support and contributions are making a real difference in local healthcare, ensuring a healthier future for Cold Lake.

Stay tuned for details on next year’s gala by following us on social media. See you next year!

For more information contact:

Ashley Brown

Marketing & Communications Lead

Hearts for Healthcare

[email protected]