May 2003

HIGHLAND FLING WEEK - With the Highland Fling approaching May 10 from 10am to 2:30pm at the Amherst stadium, this week, May 5 to 10, has been declared Highland Fling Week. The project is a fund-raiser of the Cumberland Health Care Auxiliary for the purpose of purchasing hospital equipment. Mayor Jerry Hallee, centre, is shown here signing the Highland Fling Week proclamation with auxiliary treasurer and Highland Fling convener, Jean Miller, left, and auxiliary president Marilyn Conklin.

Highland Fling expected to raise up to $20,000
Jennifer Dempsey - The Citizen
AMHERST - It just wouldn't be spring without the fling. Sponsored by the hospital auxiliary, the 21st annual Highland FLing will take place on Saturday, May 10 at the Amherst Stadium on Church Street. According to fling chairperson/treasurer Jean Miller, this year's event is expected to raise about $20,000. "The last 10 years we have grossed between $18,000-$20,000 profit once expenses were taken off," Miller said in an interview leading up to Saturday's much anticipated event.

All money raised goes towards the purchase of equipment for the new Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre. "We haven't gotten their wish list yet so we'll be holding onto the funds until we get it," the veteran chair added.

There are expected to be about 35 booths in operation at this year's fling, which opens at 10 a.m. and runs until the completion of the button draws, which will get underway at 2:30 p.m. Two new additions to this year's fling include booths by the Kinettes and Amherst Pharmasave, which will offer face painting.

And while new participants are always welcome, Miller said many have been a part of the fling since it first began in 1983. "Some have been with us for all 21 flings," she proudly stated, singling out such groups as the St. Charles CWL, Docs' Dogs, Trinity St. Stephen's UCW, Lioness and the Tantramar IODE.

The auxiliary also does its fair share for the fling, running several different booths and activities including the cake walk, bake table, crafts/treasures table, carnations for Mom, raffles, dessert/pies, plant table and a sweet treats/candy booth. The largest percentage of money raised comes from button sales. Each $5 button provides purchasers with the chance to win many beautiful gifts donated by the local community.

"We would like to sell 1,000 buttons. We sold over 800 last year and it really pays for all of our expenses, and the rest is gravy." The fling is a very profitable and community-oriented event which involves a great deal of hard work on behalf of its organizers and supporters.

"It's a lot of work. Members who contribute put in many hours to this. It's really our only fund-raiser in the community now." Additional funds are raised by the auxiliary gift and coffee shops located at the new health care facility, which have been very well received.

"During the first three months at the new gift shop, we made as much money as we did all year at the old one," newly elected auxiliary president Marilyn Conklin pointed out.

"The committee from the gift shop, including convener Vicky Daley, do a wonderful job. We couldn't do it without them," Miller added. The auxiliary, which recently changed its name from the Highland View Regional Hospital Auxiliary to the Cumberland Health Care Auxiliary following the opening of the new health care facility late last year, currently boasts a membership of about 87.

"Our name has changed and all members who joined before March have now become charter members. We are now a registered or incorporated society, which we hope will give us a little more clout," Miller went on to say.

But only a small percentage of its membership is currently active. Many are elderly but continue to support the auxiliary by making donations or performing home-based services like knitting and quilting. Miller praised the community for its continued support of the fling, which is the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre's largest fund-raiser each year.

"It would be a big loss to the community and us if we didn't have this," she pointed out. The top button draw prize this year is a BBQ donated by Canadian Tire, while second prize is a hand-made quilt donated by Jean Melanson and quilted by the Come For Fun Quilters in Hastings. There are 21 additional prizes which button purchasers are eligible to win. Buttons can either be purchased from members of the Cumberland Health Care Auxiliary or at the door. They were also on sale the Amherst Centre Mall on May 1-3.

Winners do not have to be present in order to win. General admission at the door is a mere 25 cents without a Highland Fling button or free with the purchase of a button.