Games Girls Play

There was more than games to be enjoyed at the first annual Baycrest Women’s Auxiliary Games Girls Play evening at the Terraces last June. Some 200 guests indulged in a great buffet dinner, taking in musical entertainment and bidding on bargains galore at a silent auction. At the same time, individuals could try their luck at mah-jongg, bridge, poker, pan and Scrabble. A brand-new event for the W.A., Games Girls Play hit the jackpot with everyone. Plans are underway for a 2008 event.

From left, W.A. president Joanne Nisker, vice president Mina Schwarz, co-chair Janice Tkatch, Arlene Heller, co-chair Donna Gray, and vice-president Nonie Plener at Games Girls Play.

 

Fundraiser strikes a chord

Four rock bands strutted their stuff in a lighthearted competition at the Phoenix Concert Theatre last May, raising $85,000 for Baycrest Rocks, in support of the Mood and Related Disorders Clinic. The theatre was filled with supporters who bid on silent auction items and swayed to the electrifying beat of the dazzling performers. Rockers, Crossroad Jam, raised $10,820 for Baycrest, and were declared the competition champions, winning an opportunity to perform at Jeff Healey’s Roadhouse later in the year.

Brian Feinstein of winning band, Crossroad Jam, shows his guitar stylings at Baycrest Rocks.

 

High praise for second Breakthroughs magazine

From the bold graphics on its cover to the insightful editorial, the 2008 Breakthroughs magazine captured excitement and applause. Compelling articles about innovative developments in care and research delving into the mysteries of the brain helped to reinforce Baycrest as a global leader in medical research that enriches the lives of older adults. This year, Breakthroughs received a greater level of support and wider distribution through The Globe and Mail, direct mail and newsstands. As a result, a special edition of Breakthroughs has been scheduled for mid-2008. Breakthroughs can be viewed online at http://www.baycrestbreakthroughs.com/ .

 

 

 

 

B2B riders make it through the rain

Undaunted by pouring rain and slippery hills, last September, more than 100 intrepid bicyclists scoffed at the elements to ride 100 kilometres from Barrie to Baycrest, raising $700,000. At the end of their journey, they were cheered on by a crowd of family, friends and residents.

 

 

Two generations of B2B riders: Ron Goldman and grandson Terry Weinstein.

 

 

Stepping up for BOARDwalk

It was a lively two-kilometre stroll around the Baycrest campus last June for the many supporters of all ages who stepped up to the challenge of the BOARDwalk fundraiser, raising more than $100,000 for Baycrest programs and services. Eighty seven-year-old walker Mary Schlanger raised $2,629, which brought her grand total to $28,000 in the 15 years she has been walking for Baycrest. The top fundraising team was the Women’s Auxiliary group, Women on the Move, Women in the Groove.

 

The top fundraising team and their mascot: the Women’s Auxiliary’s Women on the Move, Women in the Groove.

 

Exposing beauty myths

In collaboration with the Association for the Planning and Development of Services for the Aged in Israel, Baycrest has established an interprofessional knowledge exchange which is leading to improved care for the aged worldwide.

 

From left, Baycrest clinician-scientist Dr. Tiffany Chow, moderator Dr. Marla Shapiro, W.A. past-president Diane Harris, co-chairs Charlotte Tessis and Martine Moubazbaz, and cosmetics guru Paula Begoun, at a pre-event reception for Body, Brains and Beauty: Debunking the Myths.

 

 

Teaming up for research and technology

Take 150 friendly competitors and two days of sports and the result is Sportsfest, a unique fundraiser in support of Baycrest. Conceived by Baycrest Foundation director Jordan Banks and his wife, Faith, the annual event has raised $850,000 over eight years. Dr. Guy Proulx, director of Psychology at Baycrest, attended the event and described how Sportsfest’s support has made it possible to develop electronic memory aids for the cognitively impaired.

 

(top) Winning women’s team, Effort Trust: From left, Leah Duckman, Rebecca Zamon, Cara Orzech, Erica Zamon, Sara Hurst, Nathalie Gluckstein. Missing from photo: Jen Belak.

(bottom) Winning men’s team, Effort Trust: From left, Laurence Goldstein, Eric Weisz, Andrew Muroff, Adam Kosoy, Michael Cohen, Dan Prussky, Shawn Zolberg, Dan Pollack, Shane Dolgin.