Mission accomplished.
Humboldt and the surrounding district reached their goal of raising $100,000 for the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation (HDHF) in just three and a half days, in order to leverage another $100,000 out of PotashCorp Lanigan.
Last Monday (April 8), after the first half-day of the HDHF's Equip to Care Radiothon on 107.5 Bolt FM, PotashCorp Lanigan announced that they would match pledges made to the campaign, up to a total of $100,000, as long as they were made before 3:30 p.m. on April 11.
It was an ambitious goal, to raise $100,000 from the community in just over three days, but HDHF executive director Lorrie Bunko was determined to see it happen.
She never gave herself the opportunity to think they wouldn't do it, she told the Journal.
"I just focused on how we were going to do it. I never thought it wasn't possible."
Thanks to the donations made by hundreds of people and businesses over the next few days, they reached their goal and more. By 3:30 p.m. on April 11, people had donated a total of $114,742 to the Equip to Care campaign, it was announced to the small crowd gathered in front of the HDHF office in the Humboldt District Health Complex.
That meant PotashCorp Lanigan general manager Rob Bubnick had to fill out a cheque for the full amount of $100,000, giving the campaign $214,742.
"I'm just overwhelmed and excited, and just honoured to be able to come back here only three and a half days later and write a cheque for the full amount," Bubnick said that afternoon.
This just reinforced his opinion of the people who live in Humboldt and the surrounding area, he noted.
"The people in it are so generous," he said. "The spirit of community, the spirit of giving is rich and alive in this area."
PotashCorp employs a lot of people in the area who make use of the Humboldt District Hospital.
"This district is home to our operations and many of our employees," explained Bubnick. "We wanted to help promote the campaign and challenge our neighbours to get involved. Thank you to everyone in the community who called in with their support."
"The Humboldt district is a rapidly growing area that requires exceptional health care and advanced technology," said Bunko. "PotashCorp's support was key to the success of this year's campaign. Their help promoting the campaign and making such a significant financial contribution, is deeply appreciated."
The whole matching challenge from PotashCorp Lanigan wasn't something they expected when they were planning the radiothon, Bunko noted.
"The Humboldt district is so fortunate to have a corporation such as PotashCorp Lanigan around," Bunko said.
During the radiothon, 107.5 Bolt FM and Discover Humboldt donated their on-location services, staying on site for a total of 48 hours over four days.
"Words cannot express how grateful we are to 107.5 Bolt FM and Discover Humboldt for their generosity and making the launch a huge success," said Bunko.
On the radio, they were able to share some compelling stories about the hospital, the HDHF and the need for equipment.
"I think it's the education component," said Bunko. "I think that was really important for the radiothon - hearing the stories raised awareness about the needs of the hospital."
Every hour during the days of the radiothon, someone was interviewed - physicians, staff members, patients or families - talking about their experiences, the types of equipment needed by the hospital at this point, and the important role the Foundation plays in getting that equipment.
"We can't thank them enough," Bunko said of those who were interviewed. "The radiothon would not have been a success if it wasn't for those who shared their stories and knowledge with the listeners."
Volunteers were also instrumental to the success of the radiothon, Bunko noted. Twenty-three people gave of their time over the course of the four days to call residents and businesses in the area, making them aware of the campaign and asking for donations.
Those volunteers came from local business such as the Humboldt Journal and Caleb Village, from the Humboldt District Health Complex, from the HDHF's roster of regular volunteers, and from their board of directors.
The donors were, of course, extremely important as well.
"The generosity of patients, families, businesses, municipalities and organizations is truly amazing," Bunko said. "We enjoyed visiting with everyone that came to the HDHF. Thank you for the donations, the laughter, the tears, the memories."
While the radiothon was a huge success, it by no means marks the end of this campaign, which the radiothon launched. The HDHF still has to raise $525,258 to reach their final goal of $750,000.
Donations were still coming into the HDHF last week, Bunko noted, and there are at least two events coming up in the near future that will benefit the campaign - the Spring Health, Home and Leisure show is one, and the Friends Fore Health Care golf tournament is another.
