Grace Gala 2020 – Grace Hospital Foundation’s First Ever Virtual Event!

October 1, 2020 – As usual, planning for the 2020 Grace Gala began in the summer of 2019; nine months before the scheduled event on May 14th. As the honouree of the second annual Pearl McGonigal Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Bob Cunningham was extremely helpful in assisting the event committee with early planning to make the event a huge success. The money raised at the event would be the first large contribution to the new “Envision Our Grace” Capital Campaign, which will ensure several much-needed improvements and additions to the Diagnostic Imaging Department at the Grace.

In early March, upon receiving word that a serious pandemic along with severe social distancing restrictions were imminent, the Grace Hospital Foundation made the difficult decision out of an abundance of caution to postpone the event until Fall 2020. Throughout the next few months, the Grace Gala Planning Committee conceived several different creative ideas for holding the gala safely, in person, taking the public health guidelines into consideration each step of the way. Ultimately, the conclusion was reached that a virtual event would be the absolute best way to keep our cherished supporters healthy and safe.

Sponsors and “attendees” were provided with a live link to a recognition ceremony for Mr. Cunningham, which included some other informative and entertaining videos and speeches to celebrate the occasion.

For everyone’s understanding of the situation and support of the event through thick and thin, we cannot thank you all enough for helping make this occasion and event a success. With sponsorship and attendee registration donations, the event incredibly contributed approximately $185,000 to the “Envision Our Grace” Capital Campaign.

To those who gave their support, you have our most sincere gratitude!

View The Grace Gala Event Page

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