Marie Holloway is making an impact at the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation through her successful fundraising work.
The Tiny Township retiree has been volunteering for the Foundation for a couple of years, sitting on multiple fundraising committees to help the hospital update medical equipment including the much needed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine.
Holloway was at the heart of The Power of Giving fundraiser held in September through the online silent auction and the Georgian Bay Bags that raised more than $50,000.
“I’m at the grassroots, phoning donors, phoning all kinds of people asking for support and commitment of an item for the auction or for the GB Bags, like 100 bottles of lotion," she says.
Holloway also volunteers for other Foundation events including the golf tournaments and will be getting to work on the 2025 gala early in the new year.
One hundred Georgian Bay bags were made up with the theme of self-care. Filled with local merchandise worth $500, they are sold for $250 with proceeds going to the Foundation. Ninety-six have been sold.
"That's my favourite committee to be on. It's a win/win. If you buy one, you are supporting the local hospital Foundation and you are also seeing all the incredible products from our community," she says.
Meanwhile, Marie's husband Jeff Holloway, sits on the Foundation board of directors as the chair of the finance committee.
The couple got involved with GBGH after Jeff was in an accident four years ago that required hospitalization.
“The care he received, from the ambulance ride up until he was discharged three days later, was nothing short of phenomenal," says Marie.
"But at the same time, it was obvious that the health care system needs support and assistance. What you need is a generous community to make sure your local hospital has all the support and resources is required so it can take care of you when you are in need," Marie says.
It led Jeff to join the board in 2021.
"He was so inspired by the work they were doing. He didn't stop talking about it," she says.
That inspired Marie to get involved too.
“We want to help the community we live in because it’s been so good to us."
When Marie spent three days at her husband's side, she saw how hard the staff was working to look after people and said she felt like they were "short staffed" and "constrained" and she wanted to help.
"He's an accountant and I worked in retail, so we can't help with actual care but we can help with funding and behind the scene support," she says.
Jen Russell, director of communications and engagement, says the couple is having an impact at the hospital.
“Marie has been such an amazing addition to the Foundation committees. She’s so passionate about getting out there and helping. She is willing to do whatever we are asking her to do and she does it will a smile and grace,” says Russell.
Her work has resulted in greater donations through people buying the Georgian Bay bags and making bids on the auction items, Russell says.
More than $3 million has been raised by the community for the $4 million machine. Construction is underway on the GBGH addition to house it. Operating funds from the provincial government are approved. It is scheduled to arrive in December and the first patients are scheduled to be scanned in the first quarter of 2025, said Russell.
