McLaren Port Huron Foundation’s inaugural Fish Fry event in 2021 was such a success that the organization has decided to hold the event again this year, but move it to much larger venue: the hospital itself. The event will take place Friday, March 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. Though grateful for last year’s hosts at the Elks Lodge 343, the resounding success of the event meant the Foundation needed a venue with the infrastructure capable of handling the traffic. And what better place than their own backyard?
“There’s lots of space at the hospital so it will work out even better,” says Jamie Guyor, philanthropic officer for the McLaren Port Huron Foundation. “We learned a lot last year and now we can streamline things a little bit.”
Moving the Fish Fry to the hospital also allows the Foundation to involve more hospital staff in the event, not to mention the advantage of being able to access the large kitchen.
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The Hologic Upright Breast Biopsy Guidance system features 3D stereotactic biopsy capabilities, which enhances imaging and creates a better patient experience.For the McLaren Port Huron Foundation, needing to move to a bigger venue to accommodate so many people is a wonderful problem to have. Like many Foundation events, the Fish Fry acts as a fundraiser for key infrastructure and equipment upgrades at the hospital. Money raised during this year’s event will be used to help purchase the Hologic Upright Breast Biopsy Guidance system to enhance breast imaging services in the Demashkieh Women’s Wellness Place at McLaren Port Huron. The system features 3D stereotactic biopsy capabilities, which enhances imaging and creates a better patient experience. With the Hologic system, physicians will be able to biopsy lesions that are only visible with tomosynthesis (3D) imaging while delivering a lower Xray dose and reducing a patient’s time under compression.
The Foundation began funding for this project with the 2021 Festival of Trees. That event successfully raised $70,000 toward the purchase of the Hologic system. The Foundation hopes that the Fish Fry will bring the equipment home.
“The goal is to wrap up funding for this project with the Fish Fry,” Guyor says.
Like last year, the Friday Fish Fry is a drive-thru-only event.
“We were hoping this year could be the year that we have something indoors, but the COVID-19 numbers have us doing pick-ups again. But we did really well last year, and we were excited by the response,” says Sara Tait, director of the McLaren Port Huron Foundation.
Jamie Guyor agrees. Outside of the change of venues, the Friday Fish Fry will operate much as it did last year. “We are excited to bring this event to the community again this year in a safe way.”
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Still, if last year is any indication, the food is enough of a draw in and of itself. The Friday Fish Fry features dinners catered by Vintage House Banquets & Catering.
“We have a really good partnership with Vintage House,” says Guyor. “We’ve been working together for at least five years.”
For $25, guests can choose from dinner options that include a three-piece fried Icelandic cod, a five-piece sautéed yellow lake perch, or a fried shrimp basket. Each dinner comes with French fries, homemade coleslaw, a roll, and dessert and is served in packaging that keeps dinners hot and crispy for up to one hour.
Orders can be placed online or by telephone in the weeks leading up to the event and will be ready for pick-up at the hospital from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 11. The deadline for orders is Friday, March 4.
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For those looking to help raise funds for the breast cancer imaging equipment in other ways, sponsorships are available at $250, $500, $1,000, and $2,500 increments.
A raffle is also being held, with the winner receiving a new Blackstone Grill. Tickets are available online for $10.
If last year is any indication, the McLaren Port Huron Foundation should reach their goal for the new breast cancer imaging equipment.
“Everyone loves a fish fry,” says Guyor.
To purchase tickets for the 2nd Annual Friday Fish Fry, visit
www.mclaren.org/phfishfry or call the McLaren Port Huron Foundation at
(810) 989-3776.
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