‘Care Close to Home’ closing in on Goal

In just over five months of active campaigning, “Care Close to Home” is closing in on its goal of $3.5 million for two major renovation projects at La Verendrye hospital in Fort Frances and the Emo Health Centre.
The $8.3-million projects will provide much-needed improvements to both facilities, focusing primarily on patient comfort, privacy, dignity, and ease of access.
“We are extremely pleased with the progress of the campaign,” enthused campaign chairman John McTaggart. “It has been a busy year and we want to end it with $3.5 million.
“We still have a ways to go but we’ll get there,” he stressed. “This is ‘Mission Possible’ and we have a great team of volunteers committed to making it happen.”
A stretcher push from Rainy River to Fort Frances kicked off the campaign in mid-June with more than $1 million raised through major contributions from the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary, the Town of Fort Frances, and other municipalities across Rainy River District.
Since then, with a significant commitment from the Aboriginal Diabetes/Dialysis Initiative and the generosity of district-wide service clubs, businesses, individuals and financial institutions, the campaign is now over $2.5 million.
“We have less than a million to go,” noted Teresa Hazel, director of the Riverside Foundation for Health Care. “We’re getting close. The light is getting brighter!”
Clare Brunetta, past chairman of theFoundation, was equally as excited.
“The Rainy River District has again demonstrated its giving spirit with their support of this initiative,” he remarked. “We now need every family in the Rainy River District to consider giving to this campaign.
This is for our own health care and I don’t think we can afford not to give,” he stressed.
“Care Close to Home” is a pledge-based campaign and all donations are fully tax-deductible.
“Pledges can be made over five years so a loonie a day can really add up to a significant contribution,” noted McTaggart.
Payments can be made through automatic debit from your account, VISA or Mastercard payments, or post-dated cheques.
“We accept just about any method of payment,” noted Hazel. “Many people are using their credit cards and are also earning Air Miles through their donation.”
Payroll deductions also are available through participating businesses including Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Voyageur Panel, the Town of Fort Frances, and Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc.
“We are sending a letter and pledge card to every household in the Rainy River District this week,” said McTaggart. “We encourage anyone who has not yet given to fill out the pledge card and get it in.
“Unfortunately, many people don’t get involved with health care until it personally affects them,” he noted. “Our message is that when it comes to health care, it’s better to give than to receive!”
Further information about the “Care Close to Home” campaign can be obtained by calling Hazel at 274-4803.