News & Events | Union Hospital Foundation

06/05/2008

The statement "Service League of Union Hospital helps patients, their families and the hospital staff with activities which supplement the hospital services" appears in the brochure describing what the auxiliary does to help Union Hospital. The group did just that today with the announcement by Service League President, Susan Cross, that they are pledging $50,000 a year for the next five years to Union Hospital's Capital Campaign for a total gift of $250,000.

Cross stated, "Service League of Union Hospital is a group of volunteers, both men and women, who fully believe in the future of "our" hospital. Besides our regular volunteer duties in the hospital, we plan and participate in various fund raising activities to support selected areas of Union Hospital." Cross went on to say, "Following the advice of our Treasurer, Mary Doti, and the Finance Committee, I am excited and pleased to announce that we have pledged to make a donation to Union Hospital's Capital Campaign each year for the next five years in the amount of: $50,000 per year. That is a total pledge, in case your math is as questionable as mine, of one quarter of a million dollars."

Union Hospital Foundation is spearheading the Capital Campaign efforts with a goal of raising $8,000,000. The Service League's substantial gift is part of the hospital's Family Campaign, which will include gifts from employees, physicians, nurses, medical staff, nursing alumnae, retirees and the Boards of Directors of the Union Hospital, Union Hospital Foundation and VNA-Hospice of the Wabash Valley. The goal for the family campaign is $4,000,000.

A number of people made comments about the significance of this major gift by the Service League to the Capital Campaign.

Cindy Martin, Union Hospital Foundation Board Chair stated, "Generosity has taken on new meaning with the $250,000 pledge by the Union Hospital Service League and words fail to adequately express the Foundation's genuine gratitude for this gift. Over the past 20 years, including this gift, the Service League has contributed over $2,000,000 to the hospital, not to mention the savings their volunteer services bring to the hospital." Martin went on to say, "The Service League is a cornerstone in the hospital's "distinctive past" and we can all take a lesson in generosity from the Service League as we have the privilege to make our investment to the hospital's "exceptional future" awaiting Union Hospital Health Group with the fruition of the new facility and renovations to the existing building."

Jerry Einstandig, Union Hospital Foundation board member and the Capital Campaign Chair stated, "I want to thank the Service League members for making the decision to support the Union Hospital Capital Campaign and to support it with such a generous commitment. The Service League is an integral part of the Union Hospital Family, along with the employees, medical staff, nursing staff, retirees and the boards of directors. This very generous gift is the springboard we needed to assure us of a successful campaign to support the new hospital expansion and renovation. Our campaign logo is "Distinctive Past...Exceptional Future" and this describes the Service League to a tee." Einstandig also recognized the contributions of Fran Westrup, the first president of the Service League, for her high level of commitment to Union Hospital and the community. Westrup is the Honorary Chair of the hospital's Capital Campaign.

Union Hospital President & CEO, David Doerr wrapped up the event by stating, "I want to thank the Service League for this generous gift and everything that they have done for our hospital. The Service League is just one of the members of the hospital family that show, on a daily basis, their commitment to our community."

The mission of the Union Hospital Foundation is to support advances in medical care that benefit the patients served by Union Hospital and initiatives that promote the health and wellness for those residents who live in the Wabash Valley. The Foundation fulfills this mission by raising charitable gifts and grants, providing effective stewardship for gifts received and by awarding grants to Union Hospital and to select other organizations through which improvements in medical care and community health are realized. The Union Hospital Foundation receives charitable support from individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations who share the Foundation's vision for a healthy, vital community.

For further information, please contact Jim Bertoli, Union Hospital Foundation Executive Director at 812.238.7534 or jbertoli@uhhg.org.