Saturday brought jazz music, feathers, Cajun spice, beads, and a carnival atmosphere to Shell Place Saturday night.
Decorators transform the Grand Ballroom into Bourbon Street for Mardi Gras, presented by Suncor.
This year’s fundraiser for the local HERO foundation had a lot to celebrate receiving $245,000 in donations.
The funds will support Northeastern Alberta’s only 24/7 helicopter emergency medevac service at no cost to patients.
Paul Spring, Chair of HERO, said the money raised would fund most of the life-saving flights in Wood Buffalo this year.
“The Speed of Life Campaign, equating one hour of life-saving medevac services to $1200 in flight costs, just brought in the equivalent of 60 saved lives in one night! This community is so generous.”
Guests were treated to a special Louisiana menu full of Cajun and Creole-inspired dishes.
Also, they participated in a live auction featuring ten unique gifts and experiences.
Meanwhile, Edmonton-based big band Retrofitz provided lively musical entertainment as Mardi Gras revellers danced the night away.
Facts and figures
- In the first quarter of 2019 alone, 21 medevacs flew in patients with serious injuries or critical illnesses.
- The new helipad at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre saved an average of 20 minutes travel time for those patients
- HERO projects the date of their next fundraiser to be May 2, 2020.
