This year’s Hospice Gala, which will be held March 16th at the Sheraton Red Deer, is expected to attract over 700 guests to enjoy the dance competition and participate by voting for their favourite dancer. The celebrity dancers have been paired up with professionals and are currently working on perfecting their routines.
Dancers include Mayor Morris Flewwelling, Fire Chief Jack MacDonald, Red Deer College President Joel Ward, Manager of the Sheraton Red Deer Gill Vallee, Citizen of the Year Kathy Lacey, Chatters Canada Corine Sim, MLA Red Deer North Mary Anne Jablonski and founding member of the Red Deer Hospice Debra Petty.
The entire evening will be a ‘Hollywood style’ event. A live band will follow the competition, so everyone can bring their dancing shoes and enjoy the evening as well.
“The Hospice Gala has three main goals – fundraising, awareness and recognition,” said Brenda Watts, executive director at the Red Deer Hospice. “Each dancer has been challenged to raise $10,000, so in reaching out to family, friends and colleagues, they are building awareness with many new people who may not have ever heard of the Red Deer Hospice. By holding the Gala at the Sheraton in Red Deer, we were able to seat an additional 250 people, so we hope to introduce the mission of Hospice to many new Central Albertans this year.”
The Red Deer Hospice Society was formed in 1999 and through the generosity of individuals, organizations and businesses throughout Central Alberta, the Hospice was built in 2005. Now in their seventh year of operations, the Red Deer Hospice has journeyed with over 360 families and is a home for the terminally ill, providing a quiet and caring environment for individuals who are at the end of life’s journey – a home away from home.
There is no set fee to stay at the Hospice and no one is turned away due to financial constraints. As a not-for-profit society they rely on fundraising and donations for the majority of their annual operational budget. The Spring Gala is one way to raise much-needed funds.
Tickets to the Hospice Gala are $175, but each ticket is eligible to receive a $100 charitable tax donation. To purchase tickets or for more information call Marian Cloutier at 403-309-4344 ext. 108, or visit www.reddeerhospice.com.
– Fawcett
