Breaking bread and barriers

On October 29, 45 school principals, social workers and administrators from the Toronto Catholic District School Board attended a luncheon served by Centennial College's School of Hospitality students and hosted by Rouge Valley Health System Foundation.

Julie Kish, Manager of the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Program at the Shoniker Clinic discussed mental health issues that are prevalent in our schools. Julie's presentation focused on identifying the resources available in the community and the importance of early detection of the signs and symptoms of students dealing with mental health issues.

Dan Koenig, of TCDSB Curriculum & Accountability Program and the Buy a Bed Committee along with Superintendent Geoff Grant both spoke on their strong support of this collaborative partnership.

Rouge Valley Centenary's Buy a Bed campaign co-chairs Paul and Janet Ainslie spoke about the campaign and gave ideas on how teachers and students can become involved in fundraising for their local hospitals, using fun activities such as bed races and pajama parties.

Finding support for both schools and hospitals reinforces the Board's mandate of creating partnerships for safe, caring, and healthy schools.

West Rouge Community Day Festival

West Rouge knows how to throw a party. This year the 17th annual West Rouge Family Day coincided with the 50th anniversary of the West Rouge Sports and Recreation Association.

To celebrate, they invited the community to come out on Saturday September 18 to the West Rouge Community Centre for a day of live music, dance performances, a reptile show and games and activities for children. After all that excitement, big appetites gave way to an even bigger feast with snacks and a BBQ.

Taking the opportunity to promote Rouge Valley Centenary, the Foundation, and Buy a Bed Campaign were Buy a Bed Committee members Bonnie Hughson and Millie Tavener, Foundation Board members Gord and Ann Moore, Community Fundraising Committee member Shiv Bansal and volunteers Derek Dodd, Susan Hanna and Nitesh Lal.

We were excited to share this milestone with our local community.

(L-R) Ros Sagar-Lal, RVHSF Major Gifts and Planned Giving Officer, Bonnie Hughson, RVC Volunteer Services Coordinator, Carole Chabot, RVHSF Vice President, Development

Scarborough Fair residents BBQ for beds

On August 21, residents of the Scarborough Fair Condominiums opened their wallets and waistlines to support the Rouge Valley Centenary Buy a Bed campaign.

Lucy Perri, President of Scarbrough Fair Condominiums organized the community BBQ where she encouraged guests to open their doors to share food and friendship. As the celebrations ended, over $2,000 had been raised for the campaign.

Thanks to the generous donations of staff, the community and volunteer services, the Buy a Bed campaign has funded 40 beds towards its 100-bed goal. Through the continued support of third-party events like the BBQ, you can propel our campaign forward to restore comfort and health, one bed at a time.

(L-R) Katherine Craine, RVHS Foundation, Lucy Perri, and Councillor Michael Thompson, Ward 37, Scarborough.

Rubini Customer Appreciation Day

On Saturday August 29, owner Kula Kulasingam opened the doors of Rubini East and West Indian Food Market to his local community.

In recognition of the neighbourhood that had supported him and his family through the years, Kula decided to give back. The celebration raised $6,000 for the Rouge Valley Centenary Buy a Bed campaign.

"Our children were born at Centenary and we have needed the hospital in other ways over the years," says Kula. "We felt it was time to give back to the same hospital that has looked after us."

Finding support through community partnerships has been an exciting way to grow together. Every person has a story to tell and a reason to give.

(L-R) Richard Newman, Rasandrakumar Kanagasabi, Katherine Craine, Director, Major Gifts and Special Campaigns at RVC, Thiruchelvam Raj, Kulasingam Selliah and Kennedy Phillip.

Former Board member slows down for support

Living life in the fast lane had become routine for former Foundation board member Nestor Cruz. Even after stepping down in 2007 from four years on the board, Nestor's professional life was still extremely busy. Encouraged by his friend and fellow board member Liz Ryan, Nestor took some time to relax and reacquaint himself with the Rouge Valley Health System cause at the 2010 Golf Classic.

"The Buy a Bed cause seemed so worthy of donating." says Nestor. "But seeing my former colleagues on the board like Jim Ward and Liz Ryan reminded me of the need to support not only causes but the volunteers who take on the challenging mantle of fund raising leadership."

Being able to support a worthy cause and support the community leaders and volunteers made the decision to donate $5,000 to buy a bed, an easy one.

"If I can't spend the time to raise money for our community," says Nestor "I can at least support those that do."

If you're interested in supporting our community leaders and becoming involved in the Buy a Bed campaign, please contact Katherine Craine at 416-281-7119.

20th Annual Golf Classic a Hole-in-One

Thank you to all of the golfers and volunteers who donated with as much passion as they played during the 20th Annual Golf Classic on August 5, 2010. The event raised $30,000 for our Rouge Valley Centenary Buy a Bed campaign, through sponsor and individual donations.

Toronto City Councillor and campaign Co-Chair Paul Ainslie spoke during the dinner on the importance of restoring comfort and health, one bed at a time. "If you find yourself needing hospital services, it's crucial that the bed helps to provide that care and comfort during your visit." And after such a long and satisfying day, it's no doubt that everyone in attendance knew just how important a bed can be.

Photos from the tournament can be viewed online on our Photo Gallery.

Paul Ainslie (far left) and Jim Ward, RVHSF Chair (far right) are joined by the sponsors to present the big cheque. Photo by Kerry McLeish

Former hospital Board member buys a bed in memory of parents

For Ross Deebank, RVHS hospital Board member from June 2007 to June 2010, buying a bed was a perfect way to honour his parents' memory.

"We decided to buy a bed in memory of our parents as both had been patients at Rouge Valley Health System and were treated so well, in facilities supported by past donations and volunteers," says Ross. "So buying a new bed to help future patients seemed to make sense and something our Mom and Dad would have been proud of."

The donated bed in memory of Christopher and Margaret Deebank will share the same gift of comfort and care for future patients. Thanks to the generous donation from Ross and Doris, the Buy a Bed campaign is one bed closer to restoring comfort and health for the patients of Rouge Valley Centenary.

McHappy Day donation to Buy a Bed campaign

On Tuesday, Dale Bartlett, Owner/Operator of 5 McDonald's franchises along with Terri Toms, Owner/Operator of the Kingston/ Lawrence and Morningside Walmart franchises, presented cheques to the Foundation totaling $8,739. The proceeds were raised during McHappy Day held on May 5th. Both Dale and Terri are still fundraising for our Rouge Valley Centenary Buy a Bed campaign, and their total funds will help purchase a number of new hospital beds.

Photos of the cheque presentations can be viewed online on our Photo Gallery.

(L-R) Chad Hanna, President, RVHS Foundation; Councillor Paul Ainslie, campaign Co-Chair; Sandy Bartlett; Terri Toms; McDonald's Staff Demetrio Cortes and Clarita Villamejor; and Dale Bartlett. Photo by Katherine Craine