The Huntsville Hospital Foundation (HHF) strives to fund many of the capital equipment needs for Huntsville’s hospital. Thanks to a rush of donations through the holidays and new year, they are on track to meet their annual three million dollar goal.
The foundation receives donations via different types of initiatives: community fundraising, special events, major gifts, mailings, memorial or honour giving, and planned giving such as shares, stocks or bequests.
“Overall, we are doing quite fine,” said Katherine Craine, Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Executive Director. “Before the holidays we were somewhat worried about reaching our goal for the fiscal year which ends March 31. But with these recent larger gifts and community giving, we are on track. Our stretch goal is three million dollars per year.”
Several of the most recent major gifts to the Foundation have come from board members, including two anonymous board members who together donated $50,000, Paul and Penny Thomas who donated $50,000, and Les and Marijane Dakens who donated $100,000 after an earlier $2,000,000 bequest.
Huntsville Hospital Foundation Board of Directors (Back row, from left) Paul Thomas, Geoff Shaw, John Crockett, Pat Dubé , Tom Anselmi; (front row, from left) Jonathan Gee, Collin Reaney, Les Dakens, Chantelle Armstrong, Sharon McNally, Katherine Craine (HHF Executive Director), Cathy McMurray, Natalie Bubela, Dana Murdy, and Sharon Mey
“Our Board has shown leadership in giving,” said Britta Gerwin, Development Officer – Events & Donor Relations. “Foundation staff and board members are at a 100 per cent donation level – everyone has made donations. You’re seeing a condensed enthusiasm over the past few weeks as momentum builds.”
“Our board walks the walk,” added Craine. “They are a strong board and very passionate about the hospital. They understand that to ask others to give to the hospital they must give, too. Many physicians and staff at the hospital contribute as well.”
The Huntsville and area community plays an important role in health care, too, said Craine. “A lot of people think that it’s the responsibility of government to cover all costs but that’s not possible. It’s why every hospital has a foundation to fundraise for them.”
HHF’s fundraising goal is based on the hospital’s needs and Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) needs the foundation more and more as funding from government changes, said Craine. “We follow their lead and when they need new equipment, we fundraise for it.” Donations can also be made toward education.
(From left) Colin Miller (Executive Director of South Muskoka Hospital Foundation, Katherine Craine (Executive Director of Huntsville Hospital Foundation), Sue-Ellen Holst (RBC), Laurie Petz (RBC), and Doug Campbell (RBC) with a $65,000 for the RBC Nursing Education Fund, to be split between both MAHC hospitals
Unless funds are earmarked for a specific project by the donor, they go into a general fund which is used for either urgent needs or outstanding commitments. The hospital’s list of capital equipment needs is prioritized based on urgency and the Foundation is asked how much they can commit toward specific needs.
“The electronic health records equipment is in place and we are paying off our commitment to that now,” said Craine. “With the (recent $250,000) donation from Chris and George Gilley, the chemotherapy upgrade will be starting soon. And we have a commitment to help from the CT campaign we did a few years ago.”
The Second Annual Huntsville Hospital Foundation Bigwin Island Golf Tournament raised more than $130,000 last year. This year’s tournament will be on Tuesday, June 28.
Special events – both those run by community members and the Foundation’s signature golf event – raise significant funds every year. The Huntsville Hospital Foundation Charity Golf Tournament at Bigwin Island Golf Club raised $130,000 last year. Golf Fore the Girls, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2016, has raised more than $150,000 for the hospital’s mammography suite. The second annual Earl Laberge Golf Tournament raised more than $12,000 earlier this year.
(From left) Sandy Raven, Annette Donald, Rose Evans, Linda Martin, and Janet Markham (missing: Lynn Newell) at the Golf Fore the Girls Mammography Change Rooms designation in recognition of their contribution to woman’s health in the community. Their 10th anniversary is this year; they have raised more than $150,000 toward woman’s health for HHF.
(From left) Pat Thompson, Michael Churchman, Britta Gerwin (HHF), Vicki Hill, Patsy Tousignant, Gary Hollo, and Debbie Lindsay with a cheque for funds raised at the Earl Laberge 2nd Annual Golf Tournament in support of HHF. The 3rd annual is set for Friday, September 16, 2016.
Corporate support for the hospital is also strong. “Kimberly-Clark have been wonderful supporters since 1998,” said Gerwin. “They raise money at retirement breakfasts, we received an Ironman grant for volunteering at a water station during the event which the company matched, and they sponsor the Earl Laberge tournament among other things.”
(From left) Glenn Pirie, Terry Lamb, Carson Inwood, Rene Landry, and Clayton Reid from the Kimberly-Clark Tissue Manufacturing Crew that initiated a donation drive to rally around coworkers while their spouses were receiving treatment for cancer. Rene Landry is being presented the funds by these representatives for the crew.
Drive Muskoka also donated $150,000 last year partly by matching employee funds raised.
Jason Armstrong’s Drive Muskoka team donated $150,000 in August 2015. The funds were a partial employee giving incentive and match.
Greystone Project Management has a new initiative started by staff to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary and honour the community commitment of owners Pat and Daphne Dubé. And on January 28, details of a new initiative led by Pat Dubé called Business Cares will be announced.
At the Greystone 20th anniversary celebration at Port Cunnington Lodge on September 17, 2015, employees launched a “Celebrate 20” campaign to ask clients and supporters to donate $20 to celebrate Greystone’s 20th anniversary and owners Pat and Daphne Dubé’s commitment to HHF. Pat is on the Board of Directors; Daphne is on the gala committee. Pat & Daphne also personally donated $25, 000 in to HHF to celebrate 20 years in the community.
“Every single contribution is important,” said Gerwin. “Whether it’s ten dollars or one million, we appreciate the community support toward our overall goal.”
The Foundation has an engaged following on Facebook. Follow along, too, at Facebook.com/HHF1984.
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