Norfolk residents can grab their dancing shoes and get ready to rock around the clock this Friday, all while supporting an important piece of equipment for Norfolk General Hospital.
The Norfolk General Hospital Foundation is turning back the clock with Iris’ Sock Hop, running from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Greens at Renton.
Executive Director Sarah Muntz-Flowerday says the idea came from longtime hospital volunteer Iris Smith, and the night promises plenty of ’50s and ’60s fun.
Black Creek Music will keep the dance floor hopping, while guests can dig into retro diner favourites
Guests are welcome to dress for the era, but costumes are not required. Those who do dress up can compete for prizes for the best greaser and best poodle skirt.
Muntz-Flowerday says while the evening is designed to be fun, it is also raising money for an important need at Norfolk General Hospital.
Money from Iris’ Sock Hop will go toward a new centrifuge for the hospital laboratory. The machine is used to spin blood samples as part of the testing process.
The hospital currently has one centrifuge that Muntz-Flowerday says is well beyond its ideal replacement date. A new one is expected to cost roughly $15,000 to $16,000.
She says focusing Iris’ fundraising events on a specific piece of equipment gives supporters a chance to see the direct impact of their night out.
Smith has a long history of volunteering and fundraising for the hospital. Now in her 80s, she previously climbed the CN Tower stairs while helping raise money for a CT scanner.
Her past fundraising events with the foundation have included a Mad Hatter Tea, a luau and a speakeasy.
Tickets for the Sock Hop are $50 and include the meal and entertainment. They are available through the Norfolk General Hospital Foundation.
Organizers are hoping residents will come out for a night of dancing, classic cars and nostalgia while helping the hospital replace a piece of equipment its laboratory relies on every day.
Written by Jeremy Hall
