After months of thanking healthcare workers for their contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Meaford Hospital Foundation is hoping public gratitude extends to financial support.
“We've been hit very hard financially as all of our third-party events, which are organized by other community agencies or community groups, have changed considerably,” said Barb Little, president and chair of the Meaford Hospital Foundation.
The Meaford Hospital Foundation actively works to raise, receive, and manage money for the purpose of purchasing capital equipment and building improvements at the Meaford Hospital.
“There's no doubt that our revenues are down, and so, we have to be smarter about how we spend our money and we have to look at our savings. There's a lot to consider right now,” Little said.
Beth White, secretary to the foundation board says the hospital does require more funding in order to be able to fully take advantage of its current building, and while the local community has been incredibly supportive, the board will be looking at ways it can expand its fundraising reach.
“This is a close-knit network of individuals and everybody is very community-minded. But, there is only so much funding available,” White said. “We also know that 20 per cent of the patients we see here are from the Town of The Blue Mountains (TBM), so, I think, it only makes sense for us to be pushing some of our fundraising efforts in that direction.”
Little explained TBM council recently provided the foundation with an $18,000 contribution after the foundation sent a letter requesting $30,000 for the purchase of new beds, mattresses, stretchers, and wheelchairs.
“I find TBM to be very collaborative. They're aware of our needs and they are aware that we're their hospital,” Little said.
June Porter, chair of the TBM Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee says the Meaford Hospital continues to be important to the residents of TBM for outpatient care and after-hours emergency care.
"Statistics indicate that TBM residents utilize the Meaford Hospital emergency department; however, other services such as laboratory and diagnostic/screening services have growth potential," Porter says. "TBM and the Meaford Hospital have a mutual interest in maintaining, as well as exploring new services, and for family physicians to support this. There is an opportunity for both to increasingly work more closely together to achieve this."
The foundation’s next scheduled fundraising event is the Meaford Harbour 5K, which will be hosted virtually this year in light of COVID-19 safety measures.
Organizers are encouraging participants to embrace the virtual freedom of the event by completing the five kilometres in whatever fashion they choose - walk, run, canoe, swim, kayak, rollerblade or skateboard- between Sept. 1 and Sept. 19.
“Last year we made $125,000 from our annual race event,” Little continued. “That money goes to mental health initiatives. I think we will be really hard-pressed to achieve that this year, however, we remain hopeful.”
Participants will track their activity via an activity log while gathering pledges.
The foundation has set an event fundraising goal of $75,000.
“Another thing people could consider, if they are wanting to support local healthcare, is to hold an event or a fundraiser amongst themselves and their friends as a third-party fundraising event. We always, always appreciate that,” White added.
The foundation can provide support and direction to those interested in hosting a third-party event, but White says, these events certainly don’t need to be fancy and there is no minimum requirement to give.
“One of my favourite stories was a group of little girls put up a stand and sold lemonade, and all the proceeds were donated to us,” Little said. “And, that's one of the areas that we're going to be really working on going forward, is educating people in our community about how we need them and what they can do to help out.”
The foundation will also be holding its annual general meeting on Sept. 16, where Little says the board will be discussing its fundraising strategies and how it may be able to form new or different relationships with its donors going forward.
White adds that there are non-monetary ways to support the local healthcare system as well, such as volunteering or considering joining the board.
“There are a lot of people up here who have some fantastic experience in the corporate or healthcare world. Those skills are so transferable and would be greatly appreciated,” White said.
Little noted the foundation is always looking to hear from patients who had a great experience at the hospital and who may be willing to share their story.
“Contact us and share your story or even just come to our social media page and give us a bit of a thumbs up. We always really appreciate that,” Little said.
