Shellbrook Chronicle
Brad Dupuis, Editor
December 12, 2009 

The Shellbrook and Districts Health Services Project brought in a grand sum with a grand event Friday night. The Silver Spoon Dinner: An Evening With Senator Pamela Wallin, brought in upwards of $66,000 for the fund that will see a
new integrated health facility built in Shellbrook. 

The December 4th event drew 250 to the Community Hall for five courses of fine dining, a series of high end raffles and an opportunity to hear the Wadena Saskatchewan raised Senator speak. Wallin spoke about the values instilled in Saskatchewan that perhaps differentiate the province from others in Canada. 

"This is what Saskatchewan's about," said Wallin, describing fund raising events she has attended in her hometown where people supported the cause, whatever it was, regardless of the economic conditions.

"They go to the Legion Hall and raise money for someone who is in greater need than they are," said Wallin, the former CTV Ottawa Bureau Chief and Canada A.M. anchor.

The evening's net total of approximately $66,000 consisted of ticket sales, proceeds from raffles and some large personal donations.The Health Region plans to tender the project by early spring of 2010 with construction to follow possibly by summer. In the meantime, the project needs to come up with approximately $8 million for the local share of the $21 million project.
Co-organizer of the event, Ann Porter was pleased with the event turnout despite the fact that it was not an official sell out. In the initial plan, Porter said that they were looking to sell 250 tickets however they ultimately decided to have 300 printed -- just in case.

"After we got working we thought we couldn't have put more people in there," said Porter. Those 250 tickets were sold to people from across the region, including Shell Lake, Canwood, Prince Albert Spiritwood and Leask. "We had excellent response from outside of the community," said Porter.

"This is for all of us. This is for the whole region and we definitely had regional support," said Porter. As for Wallin, who attended in an official capacity as a Senator and did not charge a personal appearance fee, she was glad to be able to help -- especially in her home province.

"This is the place that really did teach me everything I know," said Wallin.  "Any time I get an opportunity to come home I do, and now its' actually my job, as the senator from Saskatchewan, to come home." A number of raffles were held through the evening with Investors Group (Paul Bourgeault and Paul Beaulieu) and Jet Set Travel donating a $3,000 travel voucher and Ben Moss Jewelers donating jewelry for the "Diamond Dig". J & R Atkinson also sponsored the event.