This is a huge job. She knows what’s coming. It makes her nervous. And she said yes anyway.
That pretty much sums up Mia Hempey’s approach to taking over as volunteer board chair of the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation during what will likely be a pivotal time for our west-end hospital.
Plans have been submitted to the provincial government for a major expansion that, if approved, will double the size of our emergency department and add 90 patient beds. It will also mean a significant fundraising campaign for the Foundation.
“When we get the green light, this will be one of the biggest undertakings the Foundation has ever been involved in,” said Mia, who admits the prospect is a little daunting.
But the responsibility hasn’t scared her off. When asked to take on the Foundation’s top volunteer leadership role after two years as a board director, her answer came easily: “Absolutely.”
Said Mia: “I’ve always felt that if you’re going to commit to something, you should get really involved and contribute as much as you can.”
Mia has lived in Kanata practically her whole life. She raised her family in the west end, gave birth to one of her two sons at QCH and has made her share of trips to the emergency department over the years with sick family members.
She has also watched the community around the hospital change dramatically.
“When I think about how much Kanata has grown, it’s incredible,” said Mia. “And now it’s not just Kanata. It serves a much larger catchment area.”
One of the biggest eye-openers after joining the Foundation board was learning just how much hospitals rely on donors. “I had no idea that medical equipment was funded by the community,” she said. “I always thought my taxes went toward that. I really understand now how important it is for the community to get involved and invest in local health care.”
“I’ve always felt that if you’re going to commit to something, you should get really involved and contribute as much as you can.”
-Mia Hempey
Board Chair, Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation
Mia has served as CEO of Nelligan Law for the past 10 years. The local law firm is behind a brand new fundraiser that sounds considerably less buttoned-down than your average gathering of lawyers and business leaders.
Honky Tonk for Healthcare makes its debut at the Elmdale Tavern on Thursday, Oct. 1, with a goal of raising $50,000 in honour of QCH’s 50th anniversary.
“We do a lot of sponsorships as a firm and support different charities in the community,” said Mia. “But with this one, we really wanted to take the lead and create something ourselves. We thought, ‘Let’s host an event.’”
As part of QCH’s anniversary, the Foundation is hoping to inspire 50 companies to organize fundraisers of their own. “We decided to lead the charge,” said Mia.
Honky Tonk for Healthcare will include food, drinks, live music and country-themed fun, including line dancing. “We really want people to lean into the honky-tonk vibe,” said Mia. “Bring your cowboy boots, break out the Canadian tuxedo.”
Denim on denim, naturally.
Nelligan Law is covering the cost of the event, meaning every dollar raised will go to the Foundation. And if all goes according to plan, Honky Tonk for Healthcare won’t be a one-hit wonder.
“We’re hoping to turn it into an annual fundraiser,” said Mia.
There’s plenty of work ahead for Mia, particularly if the hospital expansion receives provincial approval.
For now, though, she’s focused on getting up to 120 Ottawa business and community leaders into cowboy boots, down to the Elmdale and finding out just how good — or spectacularly bad — they might be at line dancing.
All for their community hospital.
For more information on Honky Tonk for Healthcare: qchfoundation.ca/honkytonk.