Submitted by Kevin Walsh,
BPHSF Director
I am sorry I never made regular articles for the newspaper as promised. Covid-19 has complicated everyone’s lives, and now the second wave is upon us.
Wow, I would like to thank everyone that donated to the Covid-19 Relief Fund, showing me once again how generous people of the Bruce Peninsula are. The Foundation received $40,000 in Covid-19 donations, coming at a time when our Peninsula hospitals were in need of PPE and other Covid-19 protection for our frontline hospital staff. Thank you once again!
I would also like to thank Jim Preston and his son and daughter in-law, Jordie and Michelle Preston, the owners of the Wiarton and Hepworth Tim Hortons restaurants. Once again this year, the proceeds from the Smile Cookie Campaign were presented to the Foundation. Cookie sales were great and they presented the Foundation with a cheque in the amount of $9,736 which will be allocated to the purchase of a fleet of new defibrillators and transport monitors for both Lion’s Head and Wiarton Hospitals. Thank you again Jim, Jordie, Michelle and their amazing staff.
Even though Covid-19 is still with us, the big wheels keep turning. With the government only supplying less than 10% for hospital equipment purchases, which I have mentioned many times when we fundraised for the MRI (thanks again everyone), the needs for our hospitals go on regardless of Covid-19.
I feel I must share a personal story. Several years back, I heard a radio presentation, made by one of our past school principals, Pat Cavan, some of you may remember her. She did a radio promo that said for as little as a cup of coffee a day, we could make a difference. When Sandra and I heard that, we began to be regular monthly contributors to the Foundation.
Sometimes, it’s easier for donors to donate a small amount every month rather than give a large, one-time gift. Monthly supporters make a substantial impact on improving local healthcare. Why? Because monthly donors provide a reliable revenue source through small monthly donations that add up to a sizable annual total. BPHSF staff makes monthly giving easy and predictable. Your monthly gift is processed at the same time every month whether paying with postdated cheques or credit card. You pick the amount that works for you, and if you wish, you can specify that your gift be designated to the Lion’s Head Hospital, the Wiarton Hospital, or even our Regional Hospital in Owen Sound. Otherwise, our team designates the funds to where the need is greatest. You will receive a consolidated charitable tax receipt just before tax time each year for a total of your year of giving. New this year, you can honour your Healthcare Hero when you join our Monthly Giving Program. We will present that staff member with a special Healthcare Hero lapel pin and share your personal message to let them know that you have honoured them. Most importantly, your recurring monthly gift helps provide the best possible hospital care for you, your family, friends and neighbours.
If you would like to become a monthly donor you can contact the Foundation via telephone at 519-534-5856 or via email at admin@bphsfoundation.com. If we were out with friends, we would think nothing of buying a cup of coffee or another beverage for them. When you think about it, coming and going the hospital is involved and many times in between. We are fortunate to have great Health Care so close to home. Let’s keep it that way.
Thank you in advance,
Kevin Walsh, Director
