The Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation’s (SMHF) final instalment of $250,000 was given to Grey Bruce Health Services March 7. From left, Joanna Ebel, SMHF Director; Lance Thurston, President and CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services; Donna Chappelle, Southampton Memorial Hospital Manager; and Jim Barbour, SMHF Chair.

Hub Staff

A combination of donor dollars and fundraising efforts surpassing $1 million was given to Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS) President and CEO Lance Thurston by Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) representatives March 7.

In total $1,067,726 was presented to GBHS. “It comes from all the people in the community who’ve made donations and we're so thrilled that the new ER and that the Lab work has progressed enough that we can start paying those bills and pass some of that money onto GBHS,” said Sally Kidson, SMHF Executive Director.

Proceeds from the Foundation’s “Light the Way” fundraiser was part of the giant payment to GBHS, totalling $199,726, and will go towards annual needs for the Southampton Hospital including beds and equipment for the second floor as well as replacing air handlers.

Community donations totalling $618,000 were put towards filling the refurbished ER with equipment from stretchers to monitors and lighting.

The final instalment of the community’s required $1 million towards the Lab and ER’s build itself was also given, totalling $250,000. The $1 million equals 10 percent of the total new build cost of $10 million, the other $9 million coming from the Province.

See: Latest instalment brings SMHF to 75 percent of its pledge to GBHS

“It's an amazing community and amazing hospital that’s been so generous with raising over a million dollars for what is an fantastic project that will serve this area for years and years to come, “ said Thurston, who also thanked the Province of Ontario and the Ministry of Long-term Care. “They have a huge hand in this, they are a big partner in any kind of construction project of this nature.”

Funds totalling $618,000 made up of donor dollars was given to Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS) for new ER equipment.

Funds from Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation’s “Light the Way” campaign were presented to GBHS March 7.