2nd annual Daddy Daughter Ball fundraiser for Deep River Hospital Foundation
Young girls and their fathers shared a special evening and made precious memories at the 2nd Annual Daddy Daughter Ball.
Once more the event sold out with 172 attendees filling the Petawawa Golf Club on Feb. 9, with funds earmarked for the Deep River and District Hospital (DRDH) Foundation for diagnostic imaging equipment. The ball was modeled after other foundation events, which have been very successful in the past.
“We thought it would be a great opportunity for the dads who work so hard to be able to take their daughters out for a special night and treat them to something a little different while spending some quality time together,” said Organizer Ashley Pardy.
She hopes to match the $10,000 fundraised in 2018.
Some of the girls came in limos, some wore elaborate corsages while others wore dresses fit for a Disney princess. Yet one thing linked them all together: their debonair companions.
The dads all made sure their young wards had the time of their lives as they danced, played, took photos, ate and made crafts throughout the early evening as well as watched Starz in Motion perform a dance number.
“We want everybody to have a great time and create memorable moments,” said Pardy.
The event was made possible with the help of sponsors and donors such as Kelly Burgess, Branch Manager at the Deep River Scotiabank.
As one of the title sponsor for the event, she was very pleased to see just how adorable the 2 1/2 to 14-year-old girls looked in their outfits, dancing in the arms of their fathers. Helping her local hospital get the necessary equipment was just a bonus.
“I tear up every year, this year and last year,” said Burgess. “It is hard to get through because it is so emotional and sweet to see these daddies with their daughters.”
“It is wonderful to see this dynamic,” she added, “because it is so different than with their mothers. They don’t often get to have this special time.”
According to DRDH statistics, 36 per cent of emergency room patient visits are residents of Petawawa, and Pardy was pleased to see so many residents, military and civilian, come out to support the hospital while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
“The dads were just super excited to have this time with their daughters,” said Pardy.
Click on an image to enlarge. Photos by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post.
