Above: Heather Wilson (Centre), Chair of the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) Foundation shares the results of the 2021 Read4BCHS Campaign with Jennifer Boughner-Barber (Right), Director of the James F. Boughner Foundation. The James F. Boughner Foundation matched funds raised by participants and helped the BCHS Foundation surpass their fundraising goal! Pictured with them (Left) is Read4BCHS Student volunteer, Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School Student, Ivy McCreary as the BCHSF Bookworm.

Grand Erie Raises Over $1,700 for Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation

The second annual Read4BCHS event was a resounding success. With the campaign concluding at the end of May, Grand Erie raised an amazing $1,725 to support pediatric care at the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS).

Community participants, including classes, joined a virtual read-a-thon by signing up online, collecting pledges and committing to read. Some of the amazing top fundraisers from Grand Erie’s school communities included Madame Guy’s class from École Dufferin and Mr. Wilson’s 7A class from Walter Gretzky Elementary School.

“I would like to thank all the amazing staff, students, and participants who helped fundraise for this year’s Read4BCHS event,” said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. “I am so incredibly proud to see our school communities find ways of coming together during a pandemic to support a worthy cause and promote a love of reading.”

All told, the BCHS Foundation raised an outstanding $27,000 for pediatric care. Grand Erie and BCHS would like to recognize the many generous community businesses and sponsors that participated in this important fundraising initiative, including Grand Erie District School Board’s very own Elementary Teachers’ Federation, which was an “ABC” sponsor. Special thanks also goes out to the James F. Boughner Foundation for matching every dollar donated.

“As social distancing measures continue in our communities, this inclusive online event reminds us that reading can take us to all sorts of places and connect us to new communities and friends,” said Kari Wilson, Executive Director of the BCHS Foundation.

Read4BCHS will run again in May of 2022 and the BCHS Foundation hopes everyone will join them again to raise funds. Funds raised by the BCHS Foundation support the top priority needs of The Brantford General and The Willet, Paris. Funding helps BCHS purchase equipment not funded by the Ministry of Health, provide essential resources to maintaining the exceptional level of compassionate patient care, and invest in new and innovative technology.