As the sun began to set and the North Toronto Choir took the stage for the last performance of the day, Herbie Day drew to a close after raising more than $160,000 for the Herbie Fund.
Citytv personality and Herbie Fund advocate Gord Martineau, along with Toronto singer songwriter Amy Sky, announced the final numbers live from the front lawn at The Hospital for Sick Children during the CityNews at Six on May 28. They attributed the day’s success to the generosity of the Greater Toronto Area community.
“The lives of many children have been positively affected as a direct result of the generous donations from CityNews viewers,” said Martineau, the anchor for CityNews at Six. “Because of your kindness, the Herbie Fund can continue to reach more children around the world in desperate need of medical assistance.”
The Herbie Fund, an organization run by volunteers, provides funding for desperately ill children to come to SickKids for life-altering or life-saving care. Since its beginnings in 1979, more than 600 children from over 100 countries have benefitted from the program. Kids are selected as candidates for treatment based on the severity of their medical conditions and lack of access to sufficient health care in their home countries.
But the number of children who get helped each year depends entirely on the generosity of the community.
The GTA came out in full force to support Herbie Day and there wasn’t a dull moment to be found. With visits from Bugs Bunny and the Toronto Argos and Raptors mascots, face painting and performances by dance troupes, school choirs and Amy Sky, topped off with two barbecues from Oliver Bonacini at SickKids and Yonge-Dundas Square, the day was jam-packed with activity.
The $160,000 raised from the event will help fund medical and hospital expenses for visiting international patients. To date, Herbie Day has raised more than $830,000 for the Herbie Fund.
Gord Martineau has been particularly instrumental in bringing awareness to the Herbie Fund. He has travelled throughout the world to meet some of the children who have benefitted from the Herbie Fund.
Here are some videos of Martineau abroad this year:
Part 1: Herbie Fund - http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/87752034001/Herbie-Fund-Part-One/
Part 2: Herbie Fund - http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/88009328001/Herbie-Fund--Part-Two/
Part 3: Herbie Fund – http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/88278905001/The-Herbie-FundPart-Three/
Part 4: Herbie Fund – http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/88523405001/The-Herbie-FundPart-Four/
Part 5: Herbie Fund - http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/88793740001/Herbie-Fund--Part-Five/
To make a donate or learn more about the Herbie Fund, please visit: www.herbiefund.com.
