HAGERSVILLE—The Wanda and Scott Memorial Committee presented donations to four charities on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. Representing the committee was Julie Hogeterp, Rachel Salverda, Crystal Van Groningen, Leslie Bouwer, and Amanda Salverda at the Salverda Group head office in Hagersville. Joining them to receive the donations were Wendy Carron of HN REACH (above left), Sandi Montour of Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services (above right), Lauren Harrington and Jane Scheel of Haldimand Norfolk Women’s Services (below left), and Kristina Kett and Tracey Webster of Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice. — Haldimand Press photos by Mike Renzella.
By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
CALEDONIA— The Wanda and Scott Memorial Black and White Gala, hosted at MontHill Golf and Country Club on November 26, had a banner year, raising over $150,000 from the over 400 guests in attendance to be dispersed to several local charitable endeavours.
The three main benefactors of this year’s event are Haldimand Norfolk REACH, Haldimand Norfolk Women’s Services, and Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services. Each were presented with a cheque for $32,000, with Norfolk Haldimand Hospice Foundation, a new venture hoping to build a hospice locally, receiving $5,000 in funding. Food banks throughout Haldimand received funding as well.
“Our focus was on the wellbeing of families and the family dynamic. Families in crisis, families that are victims of physical or mental abuse, families that need help, whether it be with social assistance or mobility issues with children, or disabilities. Families that are struggling with addiction. Anything that can help boost the family dynamic and improve the situation within homes,” said Wanda and Scott Memorial organizer Steve Boekee.
He called the annual fundraiser, committed to the memory of Wanda and Scott Salverda, who perished tragically in 2003, quite remarkable: “There’s always a hole left behind by tragedy,” he said. “To see the community rally around this family that’s done so much for our community … it’s not something that has been washed away with the sands of time. The fact that it still resonates with people is very touching.”
