The St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation’s first-ever Ladies Night fundraiser was a blast from the past and a boost for the foundation.
The fundraiser was held Saturday night at the Beefeater Plaza, and attracted about 200 people. All 185 tickets available were sold, and another 15 vendors stayed once the shopping closed to take in the remaining two hours of the event.
Executive director Breanne Van de Woestyne said they were pleased to sell all of the tickets in the first year for the benefit.
“Overall it was just a really good night, a lot of fun and a lot of great feedback, and so we’re really looking forward to possibly hosting another one in the future,” said Van de Woestyne.
With the theme of Back to the ‘90s, the hospital foundation brought in an attraction similar to a MuchMusic Video Dance Party, which was very popular during that decade. A video DJ came in and kept the music videos going throughout the night.
“It was a full, from the ceiling to the floor, projector stand that had 90s music videos playing all night,” Van de Woestyne said. “It was a giant dance party.”
There were also raffle prizes and door prizes, food, ‘90s drinks, and each table had a candy bar with ‘90s treats.
“The other thing that was cool that we brought in was a little shopping corner. So we had five local businesses set up booth space to sell some of their products throughout the night.”
There was something for everyone, she said, including bath and hair products, home décor and clothing.
She believes everyone who attended the event showed up in their 1990s gear, which Van de Woestyne was pleased to see.
“We had a Body Break and a Spice Girl, so a lot of different ideas. People really went all out, and it was a lot of fun to see them come through the door in different costumes.”
Women who attended the event have been telling her how they want to come back again next year, and that’s the goal, Van de Woestyne said, is for people to have a lot of fun while backing a great cause.
“We’re definitely looking into hosting it again next year in the fall, and we’re actually starting to think of some themes, in case anyone has any suggestions,” said Van de Woestyne.
It would definitely be a different theme next year, because they want to switch the theme up every year.
The hospital foundation is still waiting for the final numbers for the night, but it’s believed the event raised $11,000. Ticket sales and sponsorships generated the bulk of the revenues, and the business community donated raffle items that generated lots of interest.
The money will be directed towards the general equipment needs of the hospital. St. Joseph’s is constantly in need of new equipment due to advancements in technology, and the hospital foundation’s board will decide where to allocate the funds.
