Christmas with Mark and Colleen Donnelly is being touted a rousing success, evoking nostalgic memories of Christmas concerts from the ‘good ol’ days’ and raising $24,000 for the local hospital.
This first-time event saw more than 160 guests, both young and old, fill the Murrayville Hall last Friday, Dec. 16.
The high featured delicious Christmas goodies, a selection of silent and live auction items, a visit with Santa, a Christmas carol sing-along, and of course the festive stylings of the father-and-daughter musical duo.
The occasion was successful beyond the dreams of event organizer Hung Vuong, he told beneficiaries at the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation following the event.
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CAPTION:Dr. Aven Poynter, president of the BC Pediatric Society, visited with Justin Vuong. Poynter was the physician who treated Justin 18 years ago.
He never forgot the care his infant son received at the hospital almost two decades ago.
After having been brought back to life three times while in hospital, his son Justin is now a healthy 18-year-old, he shared with the foundation.
When asked what prompted him to put this event together, Hung answered “for me, it’s about giving back to the community for what God has provided to me and my family.”
When he learned the event far surpassed his fundraising goal, he said he was in tears.
“It was a blessing from the community,” he said. “I was overwhelmed.”
Providing the funds to purchase urgently-needed equipment for the hospital has fulfills Vuong’s desire to provide community service at a local level.
“This donation means a lot to me because of the impact it will have on families in Langley,” he said.
Community events such as these are planned and organized by volunteers – individuals and groups from all Langley neighbourhoods, said Errin Young, the foundation’s donor relations coordinator.
CAPTION: Helen Hughes (donor relations, LMHF), Mark Madryga (Global News weatherman), The piano man, Colleen Donnelly, Mark Donnelly, Karin Massar (donor relations, LMHF), Hung Vuong, and Justin Vuong posed for a group picture during the inaugural Christmas concert in Murrayville last week.
“There are many reasons why someone may choose to support their hospital in this way. Perhaps you have had a meaningful experience at Langley Memorial Hospital or know someone who did, or maybe you simply want to make a difference for your community,” she posed the question.
“Whatever the reason, events like this are a wonderful way to support health care in our community,” Young suggested.
Established in 1985, the foundation truly partners in the care of patients at the local hospital by serving as a bridge between donors, the community and the hospital.
CAPTION: Vivian Smith (executive director, LMHF), Helen Hughes (donor relations, LMHF), Hung Vuong, Karin Massar (donor relations, LMHF), and Justin Vuong shared smiles when the Vuong family presented a cheque for $24,000 to the hospital foundation.