First Ottawa Black Tie Bingo Wows the City

Ottawa’s first ** Black Tie Bingo! Annual Fundraiser ** was a huge success raising an impressive $50,000 for the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa and the OutCare Foundation.

Presented by MediSystem Pharmacy (a Shoppers Drug Mart Company), this unique event was a big hit with the 300 who gathered at the Westin Hotel on Saturday. Guests enjoyed mingling at the reception and browsed the impressive selection of silent auction items. After an incredible meal, the bingo games began. Emcee Catherine Clark worked closely with professional bingo hall operators Friends’ Bingo guiding guests through five fun-filled and sometimes quite intense bingo games.

“ _ Everyone loves bingo _ ,” explained volunteer president and founder of the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa Adam Nihmey when asked about the popularity of this new event. “ _ Guests were excited to play and many commented how they had forgotten what fun it was and how it brought back childhood memories _ .”

New partnerships were forged, most notably between the two charities at the helm raising funds for non-profit long-term care homes and palliative care throughout our community. “ _ The success of Saturday’s event is a testament to how well our two organizations work together. It was thrilling to see the community’s reaction to our first ever black tie bingo fundraiser, _ ” explained OutCare Foundation’s John Bradley. “ _ We are already looking forward to next year’s event! _ ”

MediSystem Pharmacy played a leadership role as the presenting sponsor. Sponsors, donors and event partners included BMO Financial Group, Benchent, CIBC Wood Gundy, Chartwell Retirement Residences, Rx&D, Capacity Financial, Cisco, Dust Evans Grandmaitre, Ernst & Young, Friends’ Bingo, Gowlings, The Jewel 98.5, J.T. Bradley’s, KPMG, Logan Katz, Lowe Martin, Oriana Trombetti, Ottawa Business Journal, Renaissance Investments, Retire-At-Home, Sun Life Financial, Swiss International Air lines, Telus, VIA Rail and the Westin Ottawa.

Funds raised will help improve the quality of life of residents in non-profit long-term care homes and for individuals who need palliative care.  It will ensure that people are comfortable, well taken care of, and treated with dignity in their remaining years. To learn more about the charities visit www.eldercarefoundation.ca and www.outcarefoundation.org .

For more details on the event or to see photos visit www.blacktiebingoottawa.com .