| Foundation Update: |
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 Another Great Year |
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 “Our community leaders have a real passion for the hospital and are dedicated to its goals,” says John Meyer, Director of the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation. “Over the 28-year history of the Foundation, community residents have stepped forward with their time and their own donations to benefit the hospital. We’re all proud to be part of a first-class healthcare system which provides world-class services in our community.”
Foundation activities combine major campaigns for the hospital’s capital projects such as the planned Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as well as program-based campaigns such as the Spiritual Care Program, which will offer spiritual resources to patients upon request. Other Foundation components include the planned giving programs and a whirlwind schedule of fundraising events. Over $2.5 million has been raised annually for the past three years through larger gifts and a growing list of donors.
Nearly $2.8 million was raised during the past fiscal year, which ended in June 2005. The Foundation completed the $3 million campaign for the expansion of the Emergency Department; launched the $3 million campaign (of which $700,000 has been raised) for the Level III Neonatal Care Unit; raised over $400,000 for the Spiritual Care Program; expanded the planned giving program to include the new Charitable Gift Annuity program in addition to the Planned Giving Society; and hosted fundraising events such as Cherry’s Jubilee, the Men’s and Women’s Trail Rides, the Golf Invitational and the Gala Dinner. Some events, such as the RadioThon and Telecast, specifically raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network to support programs for children in the community.
 Foundation goals for the current year include continued promotion of the Level III Neonatal Care Unit, planned giving programs, and SVMHS’ HeartSave Program, a program to place an automated external defibrillator (AED) in every patrol car in Monterey County. The Foundation has added a new fundraiser, Berries and Branches. This event showcases designer homes decorated for the holidays.
Nancy Ausonio, President of the Foundation, has a long history of involvement with  the Foundation. “We have a good group of people and a wonderful leader in John Meyer. I enjoy this work and it’s for a good cause. We have a great hospital that is doing great things,” she says.
“We strongly value the support and direction that comes back to the hospital through the Foundation,” says Harry Wardwell, SVMHS Board President. “The funds the Foundation raises for the Hospital are really important in keeping us a leader in medical technology and patient care. There is real ownership and participation in the Hospital by the Salinas Valley community.” |
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Berries and Branches, presented by the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, was held November 17 and 18, 2005. The event raised more than $81,000 to support Salinas Valley Memorial’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). During the two-day festivities, 900 people toured five Markham Ranch homes that had been beautifully decorated for the holidays by area designers.
Pat and Bob Chapman, Barbara and Bill Elliott, Karen and Jim Fanoe, Norma and Herbert Meyer, and Basil Mills graciously opened their homes. The designers who donated their services are Swenson & Silacci for the Chapman residence; Barbara Elliott, Eva Stoffel and Murlo Little for the Elliot residence; Christine Hayes Landscape Design, Donna Bruhn, Elsie Smith, Inc., Grace Feldeisen and Thompson Lange of Homescapes for the Fanoe residence; Norma Lee Meyer Interiors and John Newcomb for the Meyer residence; and Brinton’s and Maureen Drobnick for the Mills residence.
“We thought this would be a great way to usher in the holiday season and raise funds for the NICU,” says Anne Bramers, who with Carol Lannon co-chaired the event committee. “Our community is extremely fortunate to have this life-saving resource available for the care of newborns. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of our committee members, homeowners, sponsors, volunteer designers, the Hospital Foundation and everyone who attended. Berries and Branches was such a resounding success that we’ve already set the dates for next year—November 16 and 17, 2006.” |
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2005 Berries and Branches
Committee Co-Chairs:
Anne Bramers and
Carol Lannon
Committee Members:
Nancy Ausonio,
Barbara Balentine,
Karen Curtis,
Julie Dalman,
Maureen Drobnick,
Karen Fanoe,
Jeri Gattis,
Joanne Johnson,
Shirley Lavorato,
Sheri Lindow,
Debbie Meeks,
Susan Merrill,
John Meyer,
Rin Nelson,
Diane Rogers,
Jean Smith,
Sandy Storm,
Linda Taylor,
Karen Watkins,
Nancy Woods and
Melody Young |
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