The Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation is a major beneficiary of a large donation from former residents of the city.
Dennis and Shell Balon have made a planned donation of $100,000 to BUHF, acknowledged at a reception Wednesday at the Dekker Centre.
BUHF is one of six hospital foundations across Saskatchewan receiving an end-of-life legacy donation from the estate, with the total coming to $1.4 million.
The donation includes $5,000 annually over five years towards purchases by the hospital.
Dennis and Shell were both recognized for the contribution with the unveiling of a plaque to be placed on the donor wall in the hospital.
The amount of the donation took officials by surprise, as they had never had that size of gift before from individuals.
Dennis is a former co-owner of Frontier Ford in North Battleford before moving on to become the Ford and Mercury dealer in Prince Albert. He told reporters the reason he made the donation had to do with giving back to his former community.
"This is where I got my start as an owner of a car dealership, and I have very fond memories not only of business successes but community successes."
He also explained further why he made the decision to support the BUH.
"I believe the best way to give money financially is to support hospital foundations, particularly with the acquisition of necessary or brand-new equipment because it instantly helps people as soon as that equipment is purchased."
BUHF officials say the plan is for the money to go towards a new Panda Warmer examination table for newborn babies in the nursery at the hospital, to replace aging equipment they currently have that needs to be replaced.
