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The Kiwanis Club of North Bay and Nipissing
News Release

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The Kiwanis Club of North Bay and Kiwanis Club of Nipissing presented a cheque to the North Bay & District Hospital Foundation, Caring for Generations Campaign, and a cheque for $750,000 marking the completion of their pledge commitment to the capital campaign to build the North Bay Regional Health Centre. Kiwanis stood front and centre with the Foundation at its launch event for Caring for Generations in September 2002 as the 5th largest contribution to the campaign and today announced from inside the construction of the Kiwanis Pediatric Unit they have completed this commitment.

Representatives from the North Bay General Hospital, North Eastern Mental Health Centre, Pediatrics, and the North Bay & District Hospital Foundation were present to accept the cheque from Kiwanis. “It is a great day for all of us. The only thing bigger than the huge commitment made by Kiwanis to help start this campaign is the fact we are standing here today, five years later, with the pledge completed,” stated Barb Minogue, Co-Chair of the Caring for Generations Campaign. “On behalf of the Hospital and our community I would like to thank each and every Kiwanian for their hard work in supporting this initiative, the many volunteers and business who showed tremendous support of events, and offered special thanks to Jeff Valin, Chair of the Kiwanis Pediatric Unit Committee for his leadership from day one to ensure this dream was realized.” Minogue further commented.

Kiwanis Club of North Bay President Elect John Osburn (on behalf of President Rick Vezina) and Kiwanis Club of Nipissing President Paul Baker unveiled the cheque to a round of applause from all that were present at today's event. Speaking on behalf of the two Kiwanis Club's, Chair of the Kiwanis Pediatric Unit Committee, Jeff Valin commented that “there were many ups and downs from the date the campaign was launched until the construction actually started a little over a year ago. Today, standing in what is (or will be) the Kiwanis Pediatric Unit is exciting and realization of a dream come true.” Valin went on to further state: “There are so many people to thank for their support in helping Kiwanis realize this goal I wouldn't know where to begin. From kids who would buy a $1 golf ball at the Kiwanis Million Dollar Hole-in-One to $100 patrons of our Gala events, from crazy events like the 3hr Tour to the corporate support of many endeavours, I stand here today on behalf of Kiwanis to thank all the Friends of Kiwanis - 750,000 times.”
As the event was expected to wind down, the Chair of Kiwanis & Friends Scramble & Ramble Charity Golf
Tournament, Greg Briggs was called upon for comment. With a surprised look on his face Jeff Valin took to the podium in attempt to explain his absence, only to hear “FOUR” coming from the roof top as a golf ball bounced in front of the podium. Valin, grabbing the ball excused himself as he ran up the stairs behind to the roof to investigate as TV monitor was turned on for the attendees of the event. Reaching the roof top, Valin found Briggs and the CEO of Plenary Health, Mike Marasco, with their golf clubs. With big smiles on their face, the two gentlemen announced that they were getting “a little practice in” for the 2nd Annual Kiwanis & Friends Scramble & Ramble being presented by Plenary Health in association with Deutsch Bank, Johnson Controls, and PCL Construction Leaders.

“Last year’s event was tremendous fun and very successful. We all agreed the night of that event that we would all support it again this year. We are proud to be part of the fabric of North Bay and are committed to helping it prosper and grow,” commented Marasco. “What is really exciting for Plenary, is the proceeds of this event will continue to be invested pediatric care, not into the building itself, but to necessary equipment to ensure the best tools are available to our professionals and our patients in a state-of-the-art facility.” The fact that the Kiwanis Club of North Bay is going beyond its original pledge and committed to raising additional funds came as a surprise to both the Hospital and the Foundation. The support of the inaugural event from partners, sponsors and participants made the decision easy.

Tournament Chair Greg Briggs thanked Lead Sponsor Plenary Health and their hospital project partners PCL Construction Leaders, Johnson Controls and Deutsche Bank, along with numerous other local businesses including Casey’s Grill Bar, Moose FM and Osprey Links Golf Club for their support of the event again this year.

“It’s this kind of commitment from our business community to key projects such as our new hospital that helps make our area one of the great places to live in Canada” “We look forward to another fun and successful event in support of quality health care for our citizens” said Briggs.

The Kiwanis Club of North Bay started this event with the simple goal of having fun. It just goes to show how a little fun can go a long way, with last year’s event raising over $42,000 in net proceeds, making it the most successful golf tournament of the season. The guiding principle for the continued success of the tournament will be to have fun, which should also ensure its financial success.

The Tournament will be held at Osprey Links Golf Club, with dinner to follow at Casey's Grill Bar on
Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

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