2008 Progess Edition
Wilson Hospital Foundation Board 2007 Progress Report
By Bonnie Faulkner Executive Director
“The future of healthcare in Shelby County is the responsibility of citizens today, and with the overwhelming support the Wilson Memorial Hospital Foundation has received over the last decade, our community hospital continues to thrive,” said Bonnie Faulkner, executive director of the Wilson Memorial Hospital Foundation. “With the continued support of the community and the help and expertise provided by Wilson Foundation Board members, we will grow the endowment fund for the medical needs of generations to come.”
The sole purpose of the Foundation is “to cultivate philanthropic relationships that enhance Wilson Memorial Hospital’s ability to fulfill its mission and vision,” Faulkner said. Foundation Board officers for 2007 included: Frank Gilardi, chair; Dan Bensman, vice chair/chair-elect; Ken Monnier, secretary/treasurer, Doug Stewart, immediate past chair, and Faulkner.
“The Foundation board members, hospital board and hospital executives believe in the same healthcare goals for Shelby County that previous community members believed in and continue with those objectives,” Faulkner added. “Because of the need for a hospital and because of the community working together toward that end, Wilson Memorial Hospital was built in 1930. The hospital has grown and changed as community needs have arisen and the Foundation helps support the hospital’s mission.”
Partnerships Established for the Hospital’s Future
The Foundation Board continued to focus on its planned giving program during 2007. The fourth annual Friends of Wilson reception was hosted last year to recognize and thank donors to Wilson Memorial. During the event, 12 people were inducted into the Wilson Society for demonstrating their commitment to the hospital. “The Wilson Society was established in 2004 to recognize friends of Wilson Memorial who have included the hospital in their estate plans,” Faulkner explained. New members include: Dorothy Barker, Betty Bennett, Clara Wingfield, Dan Chamberlin, Lisa O’Connor, Doc and Hilda Francis, Ron and Pat Francis, Rudy and Rhonda Keister, Tom and Diane Meyer, Tom and Sandy Shoemaker, Tom and Polly Watkins, and Irene Jarfas who passed away recently. The Wilson Society has a total of 47 members. The Foundation also raises money for the hospital through its annual fund campaign, The 1930 Club, and in 2007, this generated over $77,000.
Fundraising Events Successful
Two special events were held by the Foundation last year, the annual golf outing and the charity ball, and netted $88,530, which was used to enrich the endowment fund for future healthcare needs. The charity ball committee included: Linda Campbell, Louie Francis, Julie Gilardi, Vickie Given, Rhonda Keister, Jana Potts and Anne Westerheide. Golf outing committee members included: Dale Peterson, chair; Jerry Vanderhorst; and John Wolfinger.
Hospice Donations Aid Patients and Family Members
Revenue from hospice donations totaled $104,370, which includes a generous gift of $30,255 from the local Caring at Christmas organization, spearheaded by Sara Barhorst, Holly Urbanc, and Vickie Edwards. Light Up a Life, the annual celebration of life hosted by Wilson Hospice, raised $10,045, while an additional $11,976 was donated to the Foundation for Wilson Hospice patients from various other local organizations’ fundraising events as well as general donations. Those organizations and fundraising events included The Newport Sportsmen Club’s spaghetti dinner, the Catholic War Veterans’ chicken dinner, the 47 Bar & Grill’s poker run, and the Clerk of Courts fish fry. Hospice donations are used for patients and their families for needed medications, medical bills and respite services.
Equipment Purchased from Grants and Donations
The Foundation received grants from the Monarch Legacy Fund to aid in the purchase a Bilichek bilirubin monitor for use in the Copeland-Emerson Family Birth Center. Also received was a grant from the CareSource Foundation to aid in the development of the diabetes education program offered by Wilson’s Diabetes Wellness Center. The funds will be used to provide financial assistance to those who cannot afford necessary diabetes medications or testing supplies on their own.
The Hospital Benefit Club provided donations totaling $3,000 to the Foundation that were used toward the purchase of new infant hearing testing technology and a vital sign monitor for the birth center. The Foundation also received an anonymous donation from a family fund through The Community Foundation of Shelby County, to be used toward the purchase of the hearing equipment.
Foundation Hosts Presentations and Offers Communications Tools
The Foundation hosted meetings with individuals and companies in 2007, seeking their continued support. The Foundation also hosted a professional advisory event to discuss the importance of planned gifts for the hospital and invited local attorneys, accountants and other financial professionals. Also during 2007, the Foundation initiated a comprehensive Web site www.wilsonhospitalfoundation.com that explains ways of giving and allows people to donate online as well as register for events online. Or the office can be reached at 937-498-5575. Two newsletters, The Wilson Foundation Focus and The Foundation Focus on Women, are sent out regularly that explain various ways to give, estate planning methods and highlight Foundation events and donors.
Wilson Foundation Goals for 2008
“The Foundation’s goals for 2008 are to continue to grow relationships with people in our communities,” Faulkner said. “The staff and our board members are vital in communicating Wilson’s story to individuals, corporations and the community at large and we will continue to meet with people and give presentations to local organizations,” she said. Early in January, the Foundation hosted a presentation for the agricultural community at which Tom Boecker, Wilson’s president & CEO, along with Roger Lentz, Foundation board member and Faulkner, discussed the state of Wilson and the importance of the agricultural community in its support for the hospital’s future.
“We also intend to increase membership in the Wilson Society, hold special events to keep people connected with the hospital, and continue to acquaint the people in Shelby County with the hospital so they can see what a wonderful healthcare system we have,” Faulkner added.