Nine hundred supporters and partners gathered to bring the FUTURE to Southlake at black-tie event.
NEWMARKET, ON – “Southlake’s Emergency Department team saves lives every day, in spite of the obstacles they need to overcome. Imagine what they could do, if they had everything they needed to do it?” said Southlake Foundation Philanthropy Cabinet Co-Chair, Steve Hinder, to an audience of 900 dedicated supporters, partners, and dignitaries at Southlake Foundation’s 2024 The Future Is Now Gala presented by Treasure Hill.
The black-tie event took place on Saturday, October 5, and raised an awe-inspiring $3,680,000. Funds raised will support expanded and renewed spaces, new equipment, and advanced technology for Southlake’s Emergency Department.
“For 100 years and counting, Southlake has delivered leading edge care to our communities,” said Paul Woods, MD, President and CEO of Southlake. “But with the communities we serve rapidly growing and aging, the demands for care are immense, making investment in Southlake more important than ever. We are thankful for the generosity and support of everyone who attended the Gala.”
Juno nominated and CCMA winning singer-songwriter, actress, and television host Beverley Mahood hosted the evening, and stood alongside husband Tom Cross as he shared his life-saving experience in Southlake’s Emergency Department after he arrived having had a heart attack, spotlighting the importance of access to leading edge emergency care when it’s needed most.
Dr. Gaurav Puri, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Southlake also spoke to guests about the pressures his talented team of physicians, nurses, and staff are under each day in the department. “Every day at Southlake, a new case – a mom, a dad, a beloved grandparent or a cherished grand-child – comes through our doors every 4 and a half minutes, and we need to be ready.”
The impact of investment for emergency care for the community was felt throughout the evening, and Nicholas Fidei, President of Treasure Hill and presenting sponsor of the event, spoke to the important responsibility he and his organization feel to invest in Southlake.
“At Treasure Hill, community building extends beyond just homes—it’s about ensuring that our residents have access to the very best care, close to home. That is why our partnership with Southlake is so deeply important to us. Emergency care, in particular, is critical. When every second counts, our families deserve the best possible care without needing to go far. Our investments in Southlake reflect our commitment to not just building homes, but building the fabric of our community—ensuring that the well-being of our citizens is always front and centre.”
In addition to Treasure Hill, Southlake Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to the following sponsors of the event: Magna International, Bazil Developments, Kerbel Group, NewRoads Automotive Group, Upper Canada Mall, Redwood Properties, Acorn Developments, Capital Power York Energy Centre, Dalt Hicks Family Foundation, Desjardins Financial Group, JANA, Kelson Mechanical, Land Services Group, Matheson Construction, MNP, Oxford Developments, Pfaff Automotive, Robert B Sommerville Co Ltd, Rogers Business, Royal Park & Signature Communities, SCS Consulting Group Ltd, Shiseido, TACC, Fieldgate, Paradise, The Auroran, The Regional Municipality of York, TPH and Yonge Corridor Landowners Group.
The Future Is Now Gala’s success catapults Southlake Foundation’s fundraising toward the expansion and renewal of Southlake’s Emergency Department and its $15 million goal. Recognizing that it could be ten years or more before patients and their families have access to a new facility, Southlake prioritized this critical renewal of the ‘front door’ of their Davis Drive campus to address the pressures in the department, and help reduce hallway healthcare for our loved ones, friends, and neighbors.
“There isn’t anyone who hasn’t visited an Emergency Department – with a loved one, a friend, or maybe even yourself – and thought ‘this needs to be better.’ Well we do too,” said Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Foundation. “It’s why we’re so passionate about our fundraising focus of bringing the FUTURE to emergency care at Southlake NOW, and also why we are filled with gratitude for the visionary donors who stepped up at our Gala to be some of the first to support this reimagining of emergency care for our community.”
Southlake Foundation also extends special thanks to the dedicated committee of volunteers, Co-Chaired by Felicia Salomon, of Redwood Properties, and Lina Bigioni, Chief of Staff, York Region, who worked closely with Southlake Foundation staff, Southlake Foundation’s Philanthropy Cabinet, and leadership volunteers to create a spectacularly successful event.
Donations can continue to be made towards emergency care by visiting the Southlake Gala website at: www.southlakegala.ca
Co-Chairs Felicia Salomon and Lina Bigioni,
