The Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) is pleased to state that the Light the Way campaign has reached $165,000.

“This outpouring of community support is very humbling,” said Sally Kidson, SMHF Executive Director. “What it really means is that someone who is in the hospital is going to be resting in a new bed and new patient monitoring equipment will help keep track of their vital signs – to name a couple of items that will be purchased with the funds.”

From a December 23 media release, each year, the Light the Way campaign takes place in the Saugeen Shores community and consists of a letter appeal as well as a public component. This year, Honourary Chair John Divinski helped to coordinate the campaign, which included the 98 The Beach Radiothon. Volunteers participated in both parades with a “Join the Light Side – Light the Way” float. The “Be a Jedi Knight for your Hospital” theme encouraged volunteers, young and old, to brave the parade weather and wave their light sabers for the Foundation.

As well, a young patient named William became the face of the campaign as his parents shared this young child’s story which includes several open heart surgeries at Sick Kids in Toronto and his follow up blood work done monthly at the Southampton hospital. “William really hates getting poked, but he loves the lab tech in Southampton so much that it makes it just a little bit easier,” said William’s mother. William has received multiple teddy bears for his blood work and proudly displays them on his wall in his bedroom.

Of course, William represents just one of the thousands of patients that receive care at the Saugeen Memorial Hospital in Southampton. Chair of the Volunteer Foundation Board of Directors, Jonna Ebel, is “overwhelmed” with the support for this year’s campaign. “The need for equipment at the hospital is a constant one. The government does not fund equipment purchases and so it falls to the community to ensure that the funds are raised – both for new and replacement equipment. The Board of Directors toils tirelessly all year long with various projects, activities and campaigns. It was wonderful to have new donors join us in the effort to equip our hospital. It's beginning to feel like the entire community ecognizes the importance of being invested in supporting our hospital.”

Everyone at the Foundation wishes to express their deepest gratitude to all the businesses that put Light the Way on their signs, contributed in promoting the campaign, and made donations. As well, we say a heartfelt thank you to hospital staff and patients who participated in the Radiothon by sharing a few stories on air. Finally, thank you to all the individuals who answered the letters in the mailboxes and made a donation.

Donations are always accepted at the Foundation. The overall annual need for equipment averages around $500,000. The Light the Way campaign is just one way the Foundation raises money for equipment. Other projects include the Bruce Power Golf Tournament, In Memoriam donations, Cruiser Cruise Nights, the Rotary Huron Shore Run, to name just a few. The Foundation also receives much support from all the service organizations in the community.