$17,500 flows to local front-line agencies following Come Together Sault benefit concert

Two weeks ago, SooToday hosted Come Together Sault, a benefit concert for 10 local agencies through Algoma Community Foundation and for Sault Area Hospital through the Sault Area Hospital Foundation.

We're pretty pleased to be able to note today that a combined $17,500 will go to the organizations involved and we want to thank everyone who took part and those who donated. ACF and SAHF lay out the details in the news release below:

Over $7,500 raised through Come Together Sault Ste. Marie fundraiser

The Algoma Community Foundation (ACF) and Sault Area Hospital Foundation (SAHF) would like to say chi miigwech — a big thank-you, merci beaucoup — to everyone who donated during the Come Together Sault fundraiser hosted by SooToday and Village Media. 

We would like to acknowledge the 20 performers, artists, musicians and community leaders who lent their voices, songs, prose and wisdom to the main online event. A heartfelt thank-you as well, to those who participated in the surprise finale performance of “Hey Jude” which turned out to be a crowd favorite. A special thank-you to Thomas Brandsetter for curating such a diverse line-up of local talent, for Mike Purvis, Derek Turner, Jasmyn Rowley and the team at SooToday for their technical and communications expertise, to Jess Bolduc and Zach Low from Algoma Community Foundation, and Carolyn Caputo-McCauley for their support in driving the vision forward and for all the invisible work that truly made this project possible. 

“Sault Ste. Marie has an incredible arts and entertainment community — and seeing all of these current and former Saultites “come together” to help was inspiring. Thank you to all of the performers who contributed their time, and to all of those who donated in their honour. Your support of local care has never been more critical, and our hospital is so grateful for every donation. Your gifts, today and always, make outstanding care possible," said Teresa Martone, Executive Director, SAHF.

In total, $2,700 was raised for SAHF’s Emergency Fund, and $5,000 for the ACF COVID-19 Response Fund. Combined with the financial contribution from Greenshield Canada, as a result of this community generosity, a total of $17,700 will be injected into organizations on the frontlines of COVID-19 response and recovery for Sault Ste. Marie and area. 

“As we find ourselves in uncertain times where there is much anxiety, fear, and grief, it is important to reflect upon our blessings, and turn our thoughts to community members who face inequalities that become further exacerbated during a crisis like the one we are facing. We want essential workers to know that we see you, and as a community want to share the responsibility you have to support the equity seeking community members you serve. It is in that spirit we celebrate and say miigwech to everyone who has donated to ACF and the SAHF, and to all the performers and leaders that made this all happen. It’s humbling to see such community responsiveness right now. Let us not forget these moments of generosity and compassion as we transition out of this pandemic and look towards building resilient and just futures," said Jess Bolduc, co-chair, Algoma Community Foundation

Once again - thank you Sault Ste. Marie for coming together to support our community.

Stay safe and take care.

About the ACF

The Algoma Community Foundation aims to practice innovative philanthropy based in careful thought, strategic investment, social justice and relevant giving.  We believe that a responsible stewardship of our environmental, social, cultural and economic diversity will create lasting change and loving relations for generations to come. ACF is part of a network of 191+ Community Foundations. Community Foundations in Canada are registered public charities that contribute to local initiatives by convening community actors around issues of local importance, capacity building, grant making, information gathering and sharing, and are derived primarily from donations and proceeds of an endowment.  

To make a donation to the Algoma Community Foundation please follow this link

About the Sault Area Hospital Foundation

For over 40 years, Sault Area Hospital Foundation (SAHF) and its predecessors have raised funds and inspired community support for local healthcare. Local dollars given to SAHF are saving local lives every day, purchasing medical equipment and ensuring Sault Area Hospital is able to provide outstanding care, close to home.

To make a donation to the Sault Area Hospital Foundation please follow the link here