Hub Staff

Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation’s annual Light the Way Christmas Campaign was officially launched on November 12 at the Saugeen Memorial Hospital in Southampton with a tree lighting and Hospital Foundation board members accompanying the Chantry Singers in Christmas carols.

The Light the Way campaign aims to raise $130,000 through donations as part of the money needed for the hospital's annual needs.

Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation Chair, Jonna Ebel thanked Lynne Taylor, daughter of Dr. David Taylor who worked in the Emergency department for providing this year's Light the Way story on her feelings about the wonderful care her mother received at the Saugeen Memorial Hospital. She also thanked sponsors of the campaign including Beagle Run Nursery, The Wismer House, Martin’s Home Hardware, Port Elgin Home Hardware and Little’s Furniture as well as local media.

Ebel said that the Hospital Foundation had had a very busy year and that under Tony Sheard’s guidance the Hospital Campaign had resulted in a new Angio-suite, a new CT Scanner and a new Oncology Suite which are all located in Owen Sound and used by many Saugeen Shores patients. Ebel also mentioned that the new Emergency Room and Laboratory expansion, which has now gone to tender, is set to begin in just a few months.

The Light the Way campaign looks after the annual needs of the hospital. “That means that there are things that need to be replaced, there are things that need to be purchased within the hospital that aren't necessarily funded by the ministry of health,” said Ebel.

Each year, the Foundation purchases between $400,000 and $500,000 worth of equipment as part of their commitment to Grey-Bruce Health Services. “So far this year, we have purchased $101,000 in equipment, things like wheelchairs, beds, evacu-chairs,” Ebel explained, adding that they also paid $250,000 as their share of the CT Scanner. “None of this would be possible without the donors and their contributions.”

Ebel said that there are still pieces of equipment are needed and that our communities need to ensure that funds are available to replace and update things like diagnostic imaging software, lab equipment and even infection control tents, adding that the list is extensive.

She said that Light the Way letters have been sent out in the mail to 2,651 donors and that they are also creating a public awareness campaign around Light the Way, which includes a radio campaign, participation in both the Southampton and Port Elgin Santa Claus Parades as well as social media updates.

She also explained that new this year they will be running a colouring contest to create awareness to children, adding that the colouring contest is for fun and a donation is not required to enter.

Ebel said that the hospital helps everyone with treatment for every disease regardless of the time of day, their age, their financial status, colour of skin or faith and that all are welcomed and cared for. She said that a Light the Way donation is actually an investment in the hospital, which is almost 70 years old, and that investments will help to keep health care close to home for today and in the future.