Local leaders unite to light last two stars
In the words of John Quincy Adams, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
According to East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) executive director , Donna Grainger these words aptly describe the individuals and the organizations who have united together to light the last two stars as part of the 2011 Starlite Campaign for Excellence in Health Care.
Chris Thom of Rocky Mountain Diesel and Joey Hoechsmann from The Bedroom Furniture Galleries are such leaders. The two friends and recognizable business owners are always looking for new creative ways to not only promote their organizations; they always keep an eye out when doing so to help others. For this story the lucky recipient is the East Kootenay Foundation for Health, the Starlite Campaign for Excellence in Health Care and the fundraising drive to bring a digital stereotactic mammography unit to the regional hospital.
With only two stars remaining out of 17 to be lit, Chris and Joey met at lunch and discussed uniting their efforts by presenting EKFH with $5,000 each to light final stars 16 and 17. The Bedroom Furniture Galleries raised their donations through the sales of Curly Critters at their store, at several hockey games and with a top off gift of a personal donation by Joey & Christine Hoechsmann. The Thom family (Chris & Olivia) created a unique thank you card placed in every automotive repair that came through their shop from November 24 to January 31. Rocky Mountain Diesel made an additional $5,000 gift just prior to Christmas in honour of their clients and staff.
The lighting of the 17 stars is only the second time to happen in the history of the Starlite Campaign. The 2011 fundraising goal was not only the beautiful blue stars but to raise the usual fundraising goal from $85,000 to $100,000 and encouraging the majority of donations to be dedicated to the digital stereotactic mammography fund.
Thanks to Rocky Mountain Diesel and The Bedroom Furniture and all the other donations the Starlite Campaign has hit the $93,981 mark with only a few more days to go before the stars are turned off for another year.
Sharing in the celebration of this achievement is one of EKFH’s board members, Wes Rogers, “It is truly gratifying for the foundation to garner support from donors throughout the East Kootenay Region. Leading by doing is probably one of the biggest shows of support that the foundation could ask for and we sincerely thank Chris and Joey for doing just that.”
The Starlit e Campaign for excellence in health care will close tomorrow (January 31); if you are still interested in making a gift as part of this annual fundraising campaign, please visit the secured website, www.ekfh.ca.
Above photo: L-R: Wes Rogers (EKFH Director), Chris Thom, Joey Hoechsmann and Donna Grainger. Photo submitted
After years of support HYDRECS makes last special gift
After a decade of support, Jonathon Eadie representative for the BC Hydro Employee’s Community Services (HYDRECS) Fund made a final gift of $1,000 to East Kootenay Foundation for Health for the A Clear View – digital mammography campaign.
The HYDRECS Fund was established in 1989 and in 2012 the organization decided to restructure the program for retirees and employees to give to local charities which will now be done through the United Way.
In the fall of 2011, just prior to this decision, HYDRECS also committed up to $10,000 to East Kootenay Foundation for Health to fund the purchase of a Billi-intensive phototherapy system for the Golden Hospital Neonatal ward.
“What an honour to receive this gift,” shares Donna Grainger EKFH Executive Director. “As a former BC Hydro employee I know very well the impact the HYDRECS fund has had for many charities and individuals across the province. It is rather humbling while at Hydro to have been part of that giving and now representing EKFH, the recipient of these final special funds.”
The community charity drive over the years has donated over $25,000 in support and has helped purchase medical equipment for many areas of care in the East Kootenay.
Though the HYDRECS Fund itself may be changing the spirit and generosity of many employees and retirees from BC Hydro will continue to be a key driver in charitable efforts.
On behalf of East Kootenay Foundation for Health, thank you HYDRECS for making a difference to health care in the East Kootenay.
East Kootenay Foundation for Health
Story originally posted at http://www.e-know.ca/business/local-leaders-unite-to-light-last-two-stars/
