A successful fundraising year was marked by the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation, during their annual general meeting on Wednesday night.
A successful fundraising year was marked by the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation, during their annual general meeting on Wednesday night.
In the past year, the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation raised an additional $4 million in identified funds, cash and pledges, bringing their total identified funds to over $14.5 million.
"The year ahead looks promising for the foundation and the City of Weyburn, as Weyburn celebrates its 100th anniversary," said Adam Knight, president of the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation.
"We look forward to continuing to raise funds for a new hospital and making the community aware of the need for this hospital," said Knight.
The assets of the foundation for 2013 were reported at just over $3 million, as recorded in the financial statements, ended on March 31, 2013. In addition, the excess of revenues over expenses was roughly $1.3 million. This equals the $4 million raised.
The Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation, reviewed their past year, during the annual general meeting.
In June 2012, the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation and the Triple C Centre held a joint seminar on "Alternative Ways to Give". Since then, the foundation had additional donations and pledges originating out of the seminar.
Then last July, the Hospital Foundation had their second annual charity golf tournament with PGA golfer, and former Weyburn local Graham DeLaet. This event raised $364,000.
In September, the foundation met with the surrounding RMs to make them aware of the need for support for a new hospital. As a direct result of these meetings, the RMs pledged support of $2,111,665, adding to the previous pledges from the RMs of Weyburn and Brokenshell.
During October, the first stakeholder meeting for the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation was held. They invited representatives from the surrounding RMs, City of Weyburn, towns and villages, as well as the Sun Country Health Region and the Minister of Health.
The purpose of the stakeholder meeting was to discuss issues facing the foundation and to have a general discussion on a new hospital for Weyburn.
The Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation released their first newsletter last November. It was released out to the community, bringing residents information on the progress of the foundation, and communicating what has happened and what would be happening for the foundation in the future.
Several additional donations from corporations and individuals flowed into the foundation during December to April, and they began work on their donor recognition boards.
Just recently, in May the foundation met with the Minister of Health, Dustin Duncan, to update him on the progress of the foundation and to clarify the process as it related to obtaining an announcement of a new hospital for Weyburn. Two weeks later, the foundation opened their new office at 33 Fifth Street.
Based on recent health facility projects in Saskatchewan, it is estimated that building and equipping a new hospital in Weyburn will require approximately $100 million.
Once the hospital is approved, the Saskatchewan government will contribute 80 per cent of the building costs. The remaining funds must be raised by the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation.
