In the fall, Millet Fish and Game, alongside of Gerald Zimmerman, had a vision to raise $30,000 for our 30th Annual Anniversary Awards Banquet to be donated to the Stollery Children’s Hospital. Gerald Zimmerman is a part of the Auctioneers Association of Alberta (AAA). The AAA donated a print to be auctioned off at our Annual Awards Banquet on Jan. 20, 2018.
The Stollery, for many, has somehow been a part of our lives. Gerald’s story is what created “Friends of Adam.” Adam was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor when he was four years old, spending 16 years in the Stollery before passing away at age 20. From then forward Gerald has always set out to fundraise wholeheartedly to the Stollery. Words cannot describe how honored I was when Gerald approached us to take on this challenge.
The auction started and ending bid was $36,000. This is when Gerald decided to change things up. He did what he called the “Stollery Children’s Hospital Shuffle.” This gave everyone in attendance an opportunity to donate and add to our already amazing total. The first couple to come forward was Troy and Holly Monea with an outstanding donation of $12,000. The Stollery is very near and dear to this family’s heart, as recently their five year old son Grayson spent four weeks being treated for severe Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Ironically in April 2000 Holly helped Gerald with a fundraiser for the Stollery through Lakedell 4-H Beef, raising enough money to create the Lakedell 4-H Beef Club room. During Grayson’s stay the family often visited this room to collect themselves, think, and reflect on the unconditional support from their friends, family and the extensive care the Stollery was providing them. It just shows you how life is an absolutely beautiful thing and it works in mysterious ways.
Many other people stood up to donate; $500 here, $1,000 there, and we ended up with $70,000 and growing because Maple Leaf Charlois and the Vikse family have each donated a purebred heifer to be sold at their bull sales in February with all funds being donated to the Stollery.
It was an absolute privilege to have two past presidents, Don Montgomery and Wayne Orsten from the AAA, and Ryan Drury, senior development officer from the Stollery Children’s Hospital, in attendance.
I felt absolutely honored to present Ryan with a cheque on behalf of everyone involved for $70,000 to such an amazing cause.
On behalf of Millet Fish and Game, Friends of Adam and Ryan Drury of the Stollery we would like to thank everyone who was part of this heartwarming fundraiser that is so special to many of us. It takes a lot of small pieces to make a big puzzle.