By Cecilia Nasmith

Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation chair Tyler Hathway was applauded when he announced that their 2019 gala was a huge success, raising $285,000.

He won a second round of applause when he announced that a matching arrangement from the Read-Elliott Family Foundation meant a total of $570,000 was raised in support of local mental-health initiatives.

Hathway had fresh-off-the-press copies of the annual magazine that records the event and announces the results for the community. It contained a submission from foundation executive director Rhonda Cunningham, thanking Brian and Kym Read for their generosity on the occasion of this 19th annual event.

“We were presented with an incredible opportunity: every dollar raised through the gala will have double the impact,” Cunningham wrote.

“With all proceeds directed towards mental-health initiatives, these contributions will greatly impact front-line services, helping improve access for community members to mental-health supports and specialty mental-health treatment.”

Held this year at Cobourg's Lions Community Centre, the event included an inspirational speech by a beneficiary of such services, grateful patient Katelyn Taylor.

“Northumberland Hills Hospital Community Mental Health Services has been providing high-quality client-centred community mental health treatment for nearly 40 years,” another submission said.

The recent focus of the team has been on improving access, reducing barriers, improving response time, expanding partnerships and increasing their menu of services. In the 2018-2019 fiscal year alone, 4,669 individuals were served by NHHCMHS, almost 500 more than the year prior, and the need continues to grow.”

The magazine also included a listing of the proceeds of each NHH Foundation gala over the years, with the first one in 2001 raising $40,000 and the one in 2018 raising a record high of $270,000 – until the spectacular results from the 2019 gala.

Along with the applause, the board was generous with its compliments for the event, earning a best-ever comment from board chair Pam Went and praise from hospital president and chief executive officer Linda Davis.

“It was a well-done gala – a gorgeous evening, as always,” Davis said.

In other foundation news, the 2019 Light Up A Life campaign was launched last month, with $70,000 already raised toward their goal of $170,000 to purchase some up-to-date hospital beds.

At this point in the fiscal year, as of Oct. 31 (seven months in), Hathway told the board that the foundation has raised about 75% of its $2.3-million goal ($1.7-million).