The focus of the recent mail-out campaign at the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation was to encourage area residents and businesses to become monthly donors. The GEM program (Give Every Month) had about 70 members who give a little each month through automatic withdrawal. This program creates an ongoing steady and reliable revenue stream for the Foundation.
Last year GEM donors raised approximately $31,000 which was used toward the purchase of a new ultrasound machine at the hospital in Saugeen Shores.
This year’s spring campaign received an incentive boost thanks to our donation matching partners, Bruce Power and the Sandhu Family of Port Elgin. The two partners in total pledged $35,000 toward donation matching for any funds received through the spring campaign and new GEM members gifts this year.
To date, 33 new GEMs have joined the program. Their total annual contributions combined with our existing GEMs, and the donation matching from Bruce Power and the Sandhu Family means that our GEMs will raise over $95,000 this year.
The funds from this program will go toward the purchase of two new cardiac and vital signs monitors and $50,000 will go toward mental health.
The Sandhu Family is honoured to help support the Hospital Foundation and contribute to healthcare in the community. “Alone we can accomplish very little. As a community we can achieve a lot more. It is a privilege to be supporting, the community we serve, in pursuit of good health for all” Dr. Harinder Sandhu.
“The local hospital foundation allow our region to stay at the forefront of rural healthcare. Bruce Power and our employees are proud to support these organizations that increase the quality of life and care for our local residents and visitors” Mike Rencheck, President and CEO, Bruce Power.
It’s never too late to become a GEM. GEM members can join anytime and change or cancel their monthly contributions whenever they like. The monthly giving program helps make giving easier via automatic withdrawal from your bank or credit card. For as little as $10 a month you can become a GEM and help purchase a piece of needed medical equipment for your community. Tax receipts are issued at the end of the year for your contributions.
For more information or to register to become a gem visit www.smhfoundation.ca/gem or call 226-930-1114.
