Our Stories

Photo caption: Pictured at the Wall of Gratitude accepting the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie cheque are
(l-r): Meagan Smith-Mutton, Emergency Department Manager for BGH; Dawn Tymianski; BDHF Board Member and Natasha Avis and Shane Joyce, Owners of Tim Hortons Brockville Locations.

October 19, 2021: Tim Hortons (Brockville locations) Smile Cookie fundraiser was a sweet success having raised $25,036.60.  Proceeds from this year’s Smile Cookie campaign will go towards purchasing a Chest Compression System for Brockville General Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie (Brockville) has been partnering with the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) for fourteen years and have raised over $175,000 for needed hospital equipment items.

Joan Simon, Executive Director (BDHF) noted, “Over the years, the Joyce Group, owners of the Tim Hortons restaurants, Brockville locations, have been strong supporters of the Brockville General Hospital. We are humbled by their long standing commitment in assisting the Foundation in its efforts to provide the needed resources for our community hospital.”

Tim Hortons (Brockville), and the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation sincerely thank the community for their support in raising these funds in support of Brockville General Hospital.

Photo caption: Candace Stuber and Christine Brennan make a special delivery of over 350 Smile Cookies to Joan Simon, Executive Director, Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (centre). The Smile Cookies were a thank you to Brockville General Hospital’s healthcare workers, and funded by this unique initiative. Candace and Christine were also instrumental in organizing Frontline Hero Kits for essential workers in May 2021

September 14, 2021: In May 2021, two friends, Candace Stuber and Christine Brennan, came up with an idea to put together Frontline Hero Kits for COVID-19 weary essential workers. That act of kindness brought a lot of smiles and comfort to many essential workers from across our community.

On Tuesday, September 14, the two friends brought more smiles to essential workers by donating over 350 Tim Hortons Smile Cookies to Brockville General Hospital’s staff, physicians and volunteers.

Candace and Christine’s kindness was two-fold. The Tim Hortons 2021 Smile Cookie campaign (Brockville locations) is also raising funds to support equipment purchases for BGH’s Emergency Department. Smile Cookies will be available at all four Tim Hortons Brockville locations until September 19, while supplies last.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured, in front of Brockville General Hospital accepting his online 50/50 draw winnings from Joan Simon (Executive Director for the BDHF), is Larry Holmes. For additional 50/50 draw information on future draws please visit www.bdhfoundation5050.ca 
 

Larry Holmes “took a chance” at supporting the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation’s (BDHF) online 50/50 draw and purchased tickets for the August online 50/50 draw.

On draw day, Wed., Sept. 1st, Larry learned that he had the winning ticket. Larry’s take home prize amounted to $2,205 for this draw.

Joan Simon, Executive Director of the BDHF stated, “The Foundation is very excited to be moving to this online way of raising funds in support of vital equipment purchases for Brockville General Hospital (BGH).” Joan added, “Each month there will be a different prize amount and we hope, as word spreads, that we will have some amazing outcomes.”

Larry Holmes will not be the last one to win money in the BDHF’s lotteries this year. The next draw will be taking place at October 1st at 9:00 a.m. Tickets are available at: www.bdhfoundation5050.ca

PHOTO CAPTION: Thurs., September 2nd, 2021:  The Brockville Country Club was the place to be for avid golfers, sponsors and friends of the Friends of Palliative Golf Days. Over 283 golfers and 60 volunteers were on hand for the two day event that took place Tues., August 31st and Wed., September 1st. A total of $225,000 was raised with all proceeds going to Brockville General Hospital Palliative Care Program.

Jim Cooper, Event Co-Chair shared, “We are extremely fortunate to have such generous support from our community; even during these challenging times. Many of our sponsors, golfers, volunteers and supporters return year-after-year because this event supports a vital community program that has touched many in so many ways.”

Over the past 28 years the Friends of Palliative Care Golf has raised $4,025,000 for the Palliative Care Program that operates at Brockville General Hospital.

David Publow, Event Co-Chair noted that the organizing committee hopes that the event will soon be out of COVID restrictions and we can decide as a community what is best for the support of Palliative Care and the tournament can return to a one-day format, or a hybrid. But for sure, the wrap-up banquet is a must, to thank our friends properly for their awesome support!

Photo caption: Banner – BDH Foundation Launches online 50/50 draws. First draw has a minimum prize of $1,000.

Aug. 3, 2021: The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) is excited to announce the launch of its first-ever online 50/50 lottery! Starting on Tuesday, August 3rd at 10:00 a.m. 50/50 tickets can be purchased online at www.bdhfoundation5050.ca for a chance to win 50 percent of the jackpot – with a guaranteed minimum prize of $1,000 for the first draw. The more people that purchase tickets, the bigger the pot will grow.

Joan Simon, BDHF Executive Director shared, “Because of the pandemic, and the loss of in-person events, the BDHF noticed that other charities were moving to this method of fundraising with great success. For the Foundation, it seemed like a new and exciting way for people to help their hospital that also provides supporters a chance to win big cash prizes.”

Tickets for the 50/50 draw can be purchased at different price points: 5 tickets for $10, 30 tickets for $20 and 100 tickets for $40. Tickets can be purchased up until 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Further monthly online 50/50 draws will take place for the next 12 months.

Please see draw schedule for all other draws by visiting www.bdhfoundation5050.ca-
Lottery License # RAF1211481.
 

Photo caption: Banner – BDH Foundation Launches online 50/50 draws. First draw has a minimum prize of $1,000.

Aug. 3, 2021: The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) is excited to announce the launch of its first-ever online 50/50 lottery! Starting on Tuesday, August 3rd at 10:00 a.m. 50/50 tickets can be purchased online at www.bdhfoundation5050.ca for a chance to win 50 percent of the jackpot – with a guaranteed minimum prize of $1,000 for the first draw. The more people that purchase tickets, the bigger the pot will grow.

Joan Simon, BDHF Executive Director shared, “Because of the pandemic, and the loss of
in-person events, the BDHF noticed that other charities were moving to this method of fundraising with great success. For the Foundation, it seemed like a new and exciting way for people to help their hospital that also provides supporters a chance to win big cash prizes.”

Tickets for the 50/50 draw can be purchased at different price points: 5 tickets for $10, 30 tickets for $20 and 100 tickets for $40. Tickets can be purchased up until 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Further monthly online 50/50 draws will take place for the next 12 months.

Please see draw schedule for all other draws by visiting www.bdhfoundation5050.ca-
Lottery License # RAF1211481.
 

Photo Caption: Celebrating with Corinna (l-r) are: Kory Keogen, Owner, Teslica Inc., Marilies Rettig, BDHF Board Chair, Scott MacCrimmon, BDHF Board Member and Erica Vincelli, Representative,  Teslica Inc. The 1st Annual Ride the River event in memory of Dr. Don Smylie raised $100,000 in support of equipment purchases for Brockville General Hospital.

June 14, 2021: Recently, the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) held a draw for a Teslica Freedom City e-bike for all of the event participants who raised over $250. The lucky winner was Corinna Smith-Gatcke.

Pictured riding on the 1000 Islands Parkway wearing their Ride the River t-shirts are event co-chairs, Jane and Bob Clark. The 1st Annual Ride the River event was in memory of Dr. Don Smylie. All proceeds from the event will go towards purchasing medical equipment for Brockville General Hospital.

In early April 2021, the 1st Annual Ride the River Cycling event, in memory of
Dr. Don Smylie, “shifted gears” due to the new provincial COVID restrictions that were issued on April 8. Without hesitation, the planning committee transformed the event from a one-day in person event on the 1000 Islands Parkway to a week-long “create your own route” event (May 22 to May 30). The cycling event, conceptualized by the Smylie Family, and spearheaded by Bob and Jane Clark, saw over 100 riders participate in the event. Participants were encouraged to have friends and family support their ride. Many great prizes were donated with the top prize being an overnight Toronto/Raptors game package for the top earner (prize courtesy of Bob & Jane Clark), and a draw for an electric bike (prize courtesy of Teslica Bikes) for individuals who raised over $250. Other fun prizes were provided by the River West Co.

Joan Simon, Executive Director of the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) extended accolades to the presenting event sponsors, Parkstor, Fox Run by the River, the Clark Family and Smugglers Glen for assisting with funding this inaugural event. “The BDHF appreciates all of the riders, their friends and family members who supported the riders through pledges. The BDHF is also humbled by the last minute donations that the foundation received that helped the event organizers surpass its goal in raising $75,000.”

Photo Caption: Jim Cooper, Brockville General Hospital’s Board Chair, and Ride the River Champion is pictured registering online for the Sunday, May 30th 1st Annual Ride the River event in support of Brockville General Hospital.

The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) has launched its online registration for the 1st Annual Ride the River Cycling Event that is taking place on the scenic 1000 Islands Parkway on Sunday, May 30th, 2021.

The BDHF is collaborating with the Smylie Family in organizing the 1st Annual Ride the River Event in memory of Dr. Don Smylie, a former Urologist who practiced at Brockville General Hospital (BGH).  

Families, teams, and individual cyclists are invited to participate to raise funds for needed equipment items for Brockville General Hospital (BGH), with this year’s event raising funds for
BGH’s Urology Department, as well as other critically needed equipment items.

As our community continues to navigate COVID-19, virtual participation is also welcomed!

Visit www.ridingtheriver.ca to register for the event, or for more information.

Revised Media Release:

On February 26, 2021, the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) reported in a media release that its new FUNraiser, the 1st Annual Ride the River Event was in memory of
Dr. John Smylie, a former Urologist who practiced at Brockville General Hospital (BGH), when in fact, the event is in memory of Dr. Don Smylie.

If you could please make that change to any content you may have it would be very much appreciated.

The BDHF apologizes for any insensitivity this may have caused the Smylie family.

Photo Caption: Jim Cooper, Brockville General Hospital’s Board Chair (left) and Bob Clark (right), Ride the River Committee Co-Chair are ready to take part in the 1st Annual Ride the River Event that is taking place on Sunday, May 30th, in support of Brockville General Hospital.
(Photo compliments of Andrew Kizell)

The Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) is extremely excited to be collaborating with the Smylie Family in launching the first Annual Ride the River Event in memory of Dr. John Smylie, a former Urologist who practiced at Brockville General Hospital (BGH).  

Mark Your Calendars for Sunday, May 30th for a scenic FUNraiser bike ride on the 1000 Islands Parkway. 

Families, teams, and individual cyclists are invited to participate to raise funds for needed equipment items for Brockville General Hospital (BGH), with this year’s event raising funds for BGH’s Urology Department, as well as other critically needed equipment items.

As our community continues to navigate COVID-19, virtual participation is also welcomed!

So, why not join the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation, and the Smylie Family for a scenic bike ride on the 1000 Islands Parkway knowing that you are supporting Brockville General Hospital, your community hospital.

Visit www.ridingtheriver.ca for more information in the coming weeks.

Photo caption: Marilies Rettig, BDHF Board Chair (left) is joined by Jason Euverman, Store Manager – Brockville Superstore who presented the funds that were raised during the Show Your Heart campaign in support of BGH’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

During the week of Feb. 5 to Feb. 14 the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation (BDHF) collaborated with the Brockville Real Canadian Superstore for the Foundation’s “Show Your Heart” Campaign. Superstore shoppers were given the opportunity to donate $2 at the cash during the week of the campaign with all proceeds going directly in support of the Brockville General Hospital’s (BGH) Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

“The whole focus of the Show Your Heart Campaign is to bring an awareness that a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program operates out of BGH,” stated Joan Simon, Executive Director. BGH’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program offers a customized program that assists patients following a cardiac event. The program receives minimal government funding and relies on donations, fundraisers and community supporters, like the Brockville Real Canadian Superstore. There are no fees charged to the participants of the program.

Simon further noted, “We are extremely fortunate to have this program in Brockville and with the community’s help we can keep this service close to home.”

The BDHF would also like to thank the Superstore staff who made this campaign possible. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!