Faced with its largest-ever fundraising goal, the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital has assembled what it calls a stellar volunteer leadership team to lead the effort.
A goal of $30 million has been set in the latest capital campaign, said Suzanne Bone, foundation CEO. The campaign is named, Together, We Care.
“We put a dream team together, we are pretty excited," said Bone.
The co-chair team consists of Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar Corporation, Susan Frasson, president of Wood Development Group and Rob Wesseling, president and CEO of The Co-operators.
Each member of the leadership team will have his or her own lead role at different phases of the campaign and Bone said they will also be engaging and inspiring volunteers.
"They are also making gifts themselves and helping us talk to potential donors about the importance of the campaign," said Bone. "They are all pretty passionate about the hospital and the difference that it makes in the community."
The foundation does ongoing annual fundraising, said Bone, but from time it ups the ante with a large capital campaign.
“We are thrilled to have recruited such a powerhouse team,” said Foundation board chair Paul Osborne. “Our three co-chairs, along with the other members of our Campaign Cabinet, our board and our talented staff, are committed to making these hospital projects possible for our community. Given the generosity of the community, we serve we know we will be successful.”
The foundation's last capital campaign was launched in 2008, with a goal of $6 million.
“It’s been a while since we have had a capital campaign," said Bone. "This is certainly the biggest one we have ever entertained, but the needs of the hospital to care for our community are big and we have a generous community and a stellar group of leaders to help us get there.”
The $30 million that the foundation hopes to raise will go toward projects like the expansion of the Emergency Department and re-imagining of the Special Care Nursery, as well as ongoing equipment needs in departments throughout the hospital.
The Emergency Department expansion is planned to include dedicated spaces for mental health and addiction care.
“I believe physical and mental health are cornerstones on which we build a vibrant community and society," said Wesseling.
Frasson said she accepted the co-chair goal because there is nothing more important than health care.
"Providing support to Guelph General Hospital will save lives, and improve life. Together, we must care for our hospital so that our hospital can care for us,” said Frasson.
“Many people believe that in Canada our health care is fully funded by our government when in fact the reality is 100 per cent of patient care equipment must be privately funded," said Hasenfratz. "If we want top quality modern health care and equipment we need to play a role in providing it.”
Bone said details of the campaign will roll out over the next few months.
“We have been having conversations with donors and are off to a really good start," said Bone.
