19th annual Festival of the Greens breaks records, raising a quarter million for health care in Cape Breton

Thursday November 30, 2023

Craig Joseph, CBRHF Fund Development Officer and event co-organizer; Stan MacDonald CBRHF Board Chair; Paula MacNeil, CBRHF CEO; Shannon Lynch, presenting sponsor, Cape Breton Beverages; and Caitlyn MacDonald, CBRHF Manager of Philanthropy and event co-organizer, announce the grand total raised for the 19th annual Festival of the Greens. The event surpassed previous fundraising totals, raising more than a quarter million dollars for health care in Cape Breton.

The Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation hosted the 19^th annual Festival of the Greens, presented by Cape Breton Beverages, this past Saturday, at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.

The holiday gala hosted 500 guests for dinner and entertainment, including sets from local band The Back Pack, performances from Halifax Circus, and a dance led by The Mellotones.

The fundraising portion of the evening included an online silent auction, followed by a live, in-person auction led by New Country 103.5’s Tashia Lee.

A cheque presentation at the end of the evening announced the grand (net) fundraising total of $252,626.58 – the most the event has raised in its 19-year history.

Contributing to the quarter-million-dollar total was a surprise contribution of $100,000 from Parker Rudderham. Additionally, Rudderham made a bid of $25,000 on a live auction prize, winning the opportunity to have Heather Rankin and band perform at a private party.

“With an aging demographic in Cape Breton, the need for health care is not lost on me,” says Parker Rudderham, President, Seaboard Industrial. “There are so many great causes in Cape Breton, but health care and the hospital have been top-of-mind for me personally. I was inspired by the celebrations of Festival of the Greens, and I’m happy to give back.”

“We continue to be astounded by the support, generosity and compassion our local community shows for health care, right here at home,” says Paula MacNeil, CEO, Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation.

“Cape Breton Beverages have been our dedicated partner for 16 years now, making the event possible. Additionally, dozens of other local businesses supported the event through sponsorship, in-kind donations, gifts to our silent and live auctions, and more. And to receive a surprise major gift from Parker Rudderham filled the night with excitement and allowed us to break records for health care in Cape Breton! It was truly a remarkable event, and on behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, I extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and supported the 19^th Festival of the Greens in any way.”