Sep 27, 2021 | Grace
When the pandemic was declared and restrictions began to be set in place, our Foundation had no way of predicting how deep and lengthy the effect would be felt by fundraising teams across the country. In order to keep our community safe and adhere to rules prohibiting large gatherings, all of our summer fundraising events were cancelled. The revenue from these events were still very much needed and we had to invent new ways to support Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.We made plans to modify our annual Gala dinner, The Big Night, to adopt a “gala to go” format. We knew without the opportunity to all gather in the same room we needed to provide some of the fun in-person elements into our luxury box sales and a first class multi-course meal prepared by Ciociaro had to be one of those elements.But having one event take place would not be enough to sustain our goal of supporting the program needs at HDGH. We knew we had to do more and we knew our community would step up. Windsor has always been touted as a community that supports those in need and professional fundraisers across the city and county would confirm this belief to be accurate. If given the opportunity, those in Windsor-Essex, that could, would reach out to assist those in need. So the team put on their thinking caps to come up with innovative ways to raise funds yet keep everyone safe. First, we planned a Butterfly themed 5K trek with proceeds to benefit our children’s mental health programs. With the pandemic, these services were needed more than ever. The twist on this walk/run was that individuals and families picked up their event package and did the walk in their own neighbourhoods and posted their accomplishments to our social media channels. On International Women’s Day, in place of a luncheon or dinner, we provided the opportunity for individuals to send floral bouquets to the inspiring and important women in their lives. During Heart Month, the Ciociaro Club offered a take out special in February with partial proceeds supporting our Cardiac Wellness programs.Because these modified and new fundraisers were unfamiliar to our supporters, we sometimes turned to video as a means to market the events and used social media to communicate to our community and supporters. Next on the agenda was to highlight the role HDGH was taking in caring for the patients in our health system. HDGH accepted a wide range of patient transfers to our campus, freeing up local acute care beds for COVID-19 positive patients requiring hospitalization. Upon hearing of the work being done by our health care teams, our donors stepped up, opened their hearts and donated to our COVID-19 fund, tripling what we typically raise from our direct mail letters.But there was more! Individuals and organizations in our community wanted to thank the nurses and other front line teams for the long and stressful hours and soon our team was coordinating large in-kind donations of meals, snacks, handmade masks and nursing caps, fresh produce, ice cream, frozen meals and pizza to be shared with our clinical and non-clinical staff. What was different this time was when these calls came in, donors wanted to know the impact the pandemic was having at HDGH so they could meet our needs and assist in the best way they could. These gifts were more thoughtful than ever.While some groups wanted to take care of our employees, others reached out to improve the mental wellbeing of our patients. Isolated from their families, iPads and tablets were donated to allow for video calls and a means to pass the time while they were in our care with the installed and donated Netflix accounts. Wearing our other hat of Corporate Events, we brainstormed a number of ways to keep staff engaged and morale up. We held baby photo contests, made up bingo cards with hospital related squares, distributed two “Together We Stay Strong” shirts to all employees, organized Wear Purple Days and instituted a daily prayer to be read over the speaker system. All of this was to ensure our employees knew that we were all in this together. As the holidays approached, the team modified our traditional Christmas Celebrations to keep everyone safe. In place of our annual luncheon, gift packages with cake, goodies and an HDGH Christmas ornament were offered to anyone wishing to donate two canned goods for the Unemployed Help Centre. The employee Kid’s Christmas party was modified so we could still mark this holiday season with a gift from the hospital to the children of our employees.So while it was necessary for our team to adapt to all new regulations, it was important that we not throw our hands up in the air and surrender to thinking that fundraising wasn’t possible. What has proven to be true is not only is it possible but that it can take on many different forms. Setting our plans for the coming year lit a fire in our hearts to try new ways to reach our community and new ways to help our community recognize our colleagues at HDGH. The Philanthropy and Events team couldn’t be more proud of all they have accomplished and continue to each day.