The year 2011-2012 was an eventful one for the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation (HDHF) which held its annual meeting on June 20.
Vice-chair Janice Korte opened the meeting by highlighting the many events and accomplishments the HDHF has achieved since its move into the new offices of the Humboldt and District Health Complex (HDHC) in April 2011.
"If there was one word to sum up this year," Korte said at the meeting, "it would be partnerships."
She gave a brief account of the partnership HDHF formed with residents from the Town of Watson to host the First Annual Friends "Fore" Health Care Charity Scramble. Both parties focused on raising money for their health care facilities, and the proceeds - $7,514.16 - were shared between the Watson Community Health Centre and the HDHC.
"Working together to provide exceptional health care close to home is what it's all about," said Korte. "We need to retain our smaller health care facilities within the Humboldt district."
The second partnership the vice-chair spoke about was when the HDHF was contacted by the 2012 RBC Cup Host Committee to be the Event Coordinators for the event. It was a major investment of time and energy that reaped its benefits for both parties, as well as generating $15,000 for the HDHF.
With two successful partnerships under its belt, Korte said the HDHF hopes to make new partnerships in the year ahead, and that it plans to make its existing fundraising events even more successful.
Other monies raised by HDHF events in 2011-2012 were: $10,000, Second Annual Telephone Appeal; $16,000 from the Have a Heart Walk or Run; and nearly $30,000 from the Christmas Angels Appeal.
In total, from April 1, 2010 - March 31, 2011, the HDHF invested $1,078,930 into the HDHC.
And every year brings new goals to meet, Korte added.
"We know the needs for this year are in excess of $500,000 and we are going to have to do something about it," she said. "With proper education, communication and a solid game plan, we will be able to raise the money needed to purchase the equipment our hospital needs."
Six directors are renewing their terms on the board of the HDHF for 2012. They are: Melissa Chegus of Watson, Charla Koenders of Englefeld, Sandra Blevins of the Saskatoon Health Region, Janice Korte of Muenster, Pat Witt of Humboldt, and Rev. Brenda Curtis of the Humboldt Ministerial Association. Other board members include Aaron Behiel, Sharon Blanch, Ivy McGrath, and Sharon Wentz.
After the regular business of the annual meeting was concluded, executive director Lorrie Bunko acknowledged the contribution of one of HDHF's Key Donors, the St. Elizabeth's Ladies Auxiliary, a group that recently celebrated its centenary. President Thelma Wempe was invited to say a few words on behalf of the Auxiliary at the meeting.
"On June 4, the Ladies Auxiliary celebrated its centenary here at the hospital," Wempe began.
She continued with a brief history of the organization that began with a group of five women in 1912. That number grew over the years, and today the auxiliary has 67 members and donates over $200,000 to the HDHF annually through its fundraising efforts.
"As the 100th Anniversary project, the St. Elizabeth's Ladies Auxiliary is establishing a $100,000 Endowment for cardiac care through the HDHF," Wempe said in conclusion. "It will be called the St. Elizabeth's Ladies Auxiliary Centennial Cardiac Endowment Fund."
At the end of the meeting, Bunko gave special recognition and a small gift for those donors who have moved up to a higher level category.
