Drive for a CT Scanner passes milestone

By Ken Johnston
Editor

A million bucks and climbing!
The Just Imagine campaign to raise money for a CT scanner in the Rainy River District is more than 2/3 of the way to its goal.
A little over a week ago a $35,000 donation from employees at Abitibi put them over the $1 million mark. While that was a substantial donation, Riverside Foundation for Health Care Director Teresa Hazel said the number of small donations is really starting to add up. “We are getting strong support from everyone across the district. I have never seen so many memorial donations. We are truly grateful to all the families and people who have contributed.”
The drive to raise $1.5 million for a CT Scanner began in Rainy River on Oct. 20, 2006 and is set to complete by the end of February. “I am very happy with where we are at this point. I wanted to be at the $1 million mark by mid-January and we did it!”
The Just Imagine committee is holding a radio-a-thon tomorrow on B-93 FM. They will be on the air at 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. “We are challenging the district to see how much we can raise in one day,” said Hazel.
They have also issued a challenge to businesses or groups 25 or less people to do something. “The little donations are important too,” said Hazel.
West Just Imagine Committee member Heidi Ivall accepted a $500 donation from the Rainy River Community Choir on Friday. She said, “I would just like to encourage anyone to make a donation of any size. They don’t have to be big. They all add up!”
Hazel said that people can also make pledges. They do not have to pay a big donation all at once. “$25 per month over five years translates into $1,500. But people can do whatever they can.” She noted that one lady in Fort Frances is making perogies and selling them with the proceeds going to the cause.
With momentum building, Hazel is very confident that with the continued support of the district they will reach their goal and maybe even exceed it! “This has been very overwhelming and almost unbelievable. It is very gratifying to see people supporting this.”