Inaugural Kincardine Radiothon raises more than $55,000 for Kincardine hospital

The Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation is well on its way to purchasing 21 IV pumps, after a hugely successful inaugural Kincardine Radiothon held Friday at Trillium Court Seniors' Community in Kincardine.

The event raised $55,754.75, with more donations coming in.

"What a fantastic day," said Diane Baldwin, co-ordinator of both the foundation and the Radiothon. The goal was $75,000, but the total cost of the IV pumps is $90,500. The devices are urgently needed at the Kincardine hospital as the current ones are far beyond their rated useful life.

The Kincardine hospital was part of the Health Care Heroes Radiothon in Wingham for many years, but the foundation decided to branch off on its own because supporters no longer felt compelled to donate since the Radiothon was not in their community.

With the help of myFM Radio, as well as Trillium Court and Bruce Telecom, the Radiothon was set up in the main entrance of Trillium Court, complete with a broadcast studio, manned by myFM announcers Mike Badawoy and Rick Stow. They interviewed people, and welcomed challenges to other individuals, groups and organizations in the community, to make donations.

Entertainment was provided by Garry and Friends, featuring Garry Marchand, Eleanor Convay and Eleanor Swan of Kincardine and Eldon McDowell of North Bruce; and the Kincardine Celebration Singers. There were activities, a silent auction and a raffle, as well as cheque presentations by service clubs and other groups, and individual donations.

The Kincardine Lions Club volunteered its time to barbecue sausages, hot dogs and hamburgers for the hungry crowd, for a minimum $5 donation to the cause.

By 11 a.m., the donation board was at $12,000. Within 20 minutes, it was at more than $22,000. And the total continued to climb, reaching $32,700 by 2:30 p.m., and $50,000 by 3 p.m. And by 4 p.m., the total was $55,754.75.
 

"Thank you to everyone who supported this special day to help us raise funds for the 21 IV pumps which are desperately needed at our hospital," said Baldwin. "You are all truly amazing and we thank you!"