The Olds Health Care Fundraising Committee (OHCFC) announced its first annual capital campaign Thursday (May 25) during a news conference at the Olds Hospital and Care Centre boardroom.
The committee's goal is to raise and donate $300,000 to the Olds Hospital and Care Centre. The campaign will run from June 1 this year to May 31 next year.
The purpose of the campaign is to raise funds to obtain the following equipment for the hospital:
* Two new bariatric stretchers for day surgery.
* One new bariatric trauma stretcher for the emergency department.
* Eight new vital signs monitors for the acute care and the emergency departments.
* One new portable ventilator for the emergency department.
* One new labour and delivery bed for obstetrics.
* One new ice machine for the emergency department.
* One new space lab cardiac monitoring system. It would include two new cardiac monitors for the trauma rooms in the emergency department and one for the nurses' station.
The campaign will culminate in the spring with a new signature event ñ the first annual Olds Health Care Barn Dance. More details of that event will be announced later.
ìWe look forward to the community joining us in this event for a good cause and a good time,î OHCFC chair Liz Mills said.
Mills said they've already received two big donations to kick-start the campaign.
One, for $150,000, came from the estate of Mary Ellen Hunt. The other, for $25,000 to go toward purchase of the new labour and delivery bed, came from the estate of David Charles Kruger.
Mills said the committee is very grateful for those generous donations from both estates.
Plans call for the remaining $125,000 to be raised via grants and donations from the public, and money obtained through the barn dance.
In addition, the committee is participating in the Wings and Wheels Lottery, which is raising money for health care in Olds, Rimbey and Wetaskiwin.
The Olds 100 Club, under which people are encouraged to each donate $100 toward health care in the community, is also raising money for the cause.
This is the third year of the 100 Club's existence. This year, it's focusing on raising $30,000 for the three stretchers that the OHCFC hopes to obtain.
In order to do that, a radiothon will be held June 13. The goal of that event is to raise $15,000. The 100 Club already has $15,000 which it will put toward the stretchers.
Last year, about 100 people participated in 100 Club activities. This year, organizers are encouraging another 50 to participate as well.
ìWe are grateful to all those who have supported this club over the last two years and hope they will continue to support us as we try to improve health care in the Olds area,î a news release said.
Mills stressed that 100 per cent of money raised via the campaign stays in Olds for health care.
For details on the fundraising campaign ñ including how it's going ñ or on the lottery, visit oldshealthdonations.com.
Money raised will go toward buying new equipment for the hospital
