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Foundation Notes: Everyone pitching in to support PRH expansion

Opening date for new patient care tower just seven months away
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Who thought bricks would be so popular? Residents throughout the South Okanagan-Similkameen have come through again in support of Penticton Regional Hospital.

More than 300 donors are getting their names engraved on paving bricks to be laid this fall on the outdoor patio next to the main entrance to the new David E. Kampe Tower at PRH. The “Patio of Giving” fundraiser generated more than $350,000 in net proceeds to help the SOS Medical Foundation provide medical equipment for the hospital expansion.

The response was fantastic – our thanks to everyone who donated $1,200 to be recognized on a brick. This certainly reflects the importance we all place on local health care.

Tower construction finished soon

Although construction of the six-storey PRH tower will be complete by mid-December, it will take a few months for all the equipment to be brought in and to ensure staff and physicians are familiar with their new workspace.

The official opening date of the tower remains on schedule for April 29, 2019. The success of the patio brick campaign brings the SOS Medical Foundation’s total amount of donations and pledges to $17.6 million.

That leaves another $2.4 million to be raised before the end of next year to complete our five-year $20-million campaign. We can do it with the community’s help.

With a smile

A smile means a lot – just ask anyone at Tim Hortons in the South Okanagan. The tally from this year’s Smile Cookie campaign has now been released.

Timmies’ annual fundraiser, which wound up Sept. 23, saw $25,015 raised for the SOS Medical Foundation’s PRH equipment drive.

Over the past four years, Smile Cookies generated a whopping total donation of $107,003.

Our sincerest thanks to everyone at Tims and their customers who bought cookies. Kudos as well to players with the Penticton Vees, Summerland Steam and Osoyoos Coyotes who helped sell over 5,000 Smile Cookies at the drive-through lanes. Everyone’s a winner!

Teeing up for cancer

Speaking of fundraisers, a huge Thank You to those involved in this year’s Peach City Tees Up for Cancer ladies golf tournament held August 17-18 at the Penticton Golf & Country Club. The 22nd annual tourney raised $41,000 for PRH. Part of this went towards the purchase of five new recliner chairs for patients undergoing chemotherapy and other treatment in the hospital’s Oncology Dept. Tees Up has also fulfilled its promise made in 2015 to raise $150,000 for our Tower campaign. The five-year pledge was met in just four years. Incredible!

Volunteers needed

Interested in volunteering as a barista at the SOS Cafe in the PRH lobby for a single three-hour shift a week? Proceeds from the coffee shop support our hospital – and training is provided. Please call SOS Cafe manager Marybeth at 250-770-5525 or email Marybeth.zelent@interiorhealth.ca.

Also the Penticton Hospital Auxiliary needs volunteer drivers and meal preparers for their Meals on Wheels program. Meals are delivered to area clients on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information call 250-492-9095.

Well-deserved thanks

Finally some well-deserved Thanks to three youngsters who stopped by our office with money to help patients at PRH. Eight-year-old Thorley Gudmundson got the ball rolling last month when he delivered huge handfuls of coins from his summer lemonade stand. Then Marcos Daniel and Rykker Blythe donated money given by friends, instead of gifts, at their recent birthday parties. Wow!

If this is an example of our youngest generation, the world will be in good hands. Thanks guys!

John Moorhouse is the development and communications officer for the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation. For information on donating, please call 250-492-9027 or visit our website sosmedicalfoundation.com.