Community Provides More Dollars for Hospice Palliative Care through Sydney Ribfest 2016

July 25, 2016

Sydney, N.S​…..As Open Hearth Park returns to soccer play and open green spaces, the Rotary Clubs of CBRM have packed up all the trappings of Ribfest of 2016 and are pleased to announce the first of two significant donations to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton.  

Thanks to the exceptional efforts by the Rotary Clubs of CBRM’s Sydney Ribfest 2016, the Hospice

Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton will be the recipient of $50,000 donated by generous Cape Bretoners in the “Give a Little at the Gate” program.  This amount exceeds the $43,000 raised at the gate in 2015. Last year, In addition to planning, staging and running Ribfest, the Rotary Clubs donated an additional $12,000 to Hospice Palliative Care once all financial obligations were met.  It is the intention of the Clubs to contribute additional monies again this year and the amount will be known within a few weeks. 

Planning for Ribfest 2016 began 10 months ago and encompassed thousands of volunteer hours to bring the event to reality during those months and throughout the weekend. “The move to our new location in Open Hearth Park meant that we had to create a new site design, revamp and expand plans to fill all the space we had our disposal so that those attending would have lots of opportunities to enjoy themselves in addition to savoring the great food prepared by the Ribbers,” notes Sydney Ribfest 2016 Co-Chair Sara Salter-Burke, “and that brings along additional expenses and new lessons to learn.” 

“We know that the Hospice Palliative Care Society is very grateful to both the community and Rotary Club members for this significant contribution to the establishment of the new Hospice Residence.  We fully intend to provide additional funds to increase the total donation.  We will have a final total in the near future but we knew the community and sponsors were eager to hear the amount received at the gate, adds Co-Chair Kevin Armstrong.  “Ribfest is becoming a singularly successful signature event for all members of the community, regardless of age, and Rotary is proud to be the driving force behind a three day event that captures the attention of the community at large. We are especially indebted to our many sponsors who share our desire to create new and successful initiatives in the local area.

This year Sydney Ribfest 2016 positioned itself with the theme of “more” – more food, more entertainment, more children’s activities, more parking and now can add “more money raised” for Hospice Palliative Care patients and families.  “Stay tuned for the final number”, says Salter-Burke, it too will be more than the initial $50,000 but we felt it important to let our patrons know the difference they are making by “Giving a Little at the Gate”. 

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For More Information, Contact:

Sara Salter- Burke, Co-Chair, Sydney Ribfest 2016   C: 902-304-6281

Or

Kevin Armstrong, Co-Chair, Sydney Ribfest 2016 C: 902-577-9788