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Another donation rolls in for hospital campaign

The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation is a giant step closer to reaching its fundraising goal
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The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation is a giant step closer to reaching its fundraising goal for the new patient care tower under construction at Penticton Regional Hospital.

Thursday just outside the construction site, president Susan Ewanick of Valley First (a division of First West Credit Union) handed over a cheque for $150,000 to foundation executive director Carey Bornn.

“It’s so important to our community and it’s so important to our members and our employees and we’re just honoured to have the opportunity to show our commitment to the community and this project as we move forward and see the growth in the community,” said Ewanick. “My mom and dad have been in Summerland for over 30 years and both have received excellent care at the hospital.”

“Strong, healthy communities are the backbone of strong healthy economies. We see the new patient care tower as essential to the ongoing vitality and growth of Penticton and its residents.”

According to Bornn the money is much appreciated and will go a long way to reaching the $20 million that needed to be raised.

“It’s going to really make a difference for us, the government’s putting up the building and going to operate the building but it’s the community that’s putting everything inside and without the community this would not be happening,” said Bornn. “We get lots of gifts from the community and businesses and this is one of the most significant gifts we are receiving. “With this we are just over $13 million.”

Scheduled to open its doors to patients in 2019, total cost of the tower is estimated at $312.5 million.