With just over $276,000 in lifetime donations Dr. Gary Burggraf has shown a commitment to investing in healthcare that has spanned 40 years. Starting with modest gifts in 1984, Dr. Burggraf now donates approximately $30,000 each year, choosing to support a wide range of departments from Cardiology to Clinical Laboratories, Nephrology, Cancer Care, Research, PCH Palliative Care and Redevelopment. Dr. Buggraf is a unique donor due to his longstanding career as a Cardiologist who spent his entire career at KHSC and Queen’s University. As donor and doctor, Dr. Burggraf has shown a true commitment to caring for his community. When undertaking the decision of where to designate his gifts, Dr. Burggraf always takes the time to learn about the urgent priorities at the hospital and meet with clinicians and researchers. Dr Burggraf has made an effort to stay connected to his colleagues and takes pride in learning how his support impacts their work and the care that is available to patients.
B’nai Brith Kingston Lodge’s commitment to building a hospice residence for our community has been transformational to Hospice Kingston’s fundraising campaign with over $950K being raised cumulatively at the 2016 and 2023 “Evening With” events. The 2016 “Evening with Dan Aykroyd” was the largest fundraising dinner in the history of Kingston with over $550K raised. The 2023 “Evening with Hayley Wickenheiser” raised over $400K. B’nai Brith Kingston’s support will allow the creation and staffing for a space where families will find solace, where pain will be met with understanding, and the end-of-life journey is marked by moments of profound connection. The 10-bed hospice residence will accommodate the increasing need of palliative individuals and bereavement support in our community and enhance Hospice Kingston’s existing programs and services.
When Bentley Davidson was 2, he dressed up for Halloween as Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip. He didn’t plan to raise money but he received so much attention for his costume that his parents decided to turn it into a fundraiser. That fundraiser turned into an annual event, raising money for local charities. Since the age of two, Bentley has dedicated the month of October to collecting donations instead of candy, donating the proceeds to a different charity each year. KHSC has been the beneficiary twice; in 2021 Bentley raised $16,307 for the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic and in 2023 he raised $18,496.50 for juvenile diabetes which brings his 8 year fundraising total to an impressive $57,496.50. Bentley (a.k.a. Pint-Size Gord), is truly an inspiration to us all, demonstrating the impact that one individual can have, even at such a young age, in support of important causes.
