The clock is definitely ticking at Penticton Regional Hospital – in many different ways.
Construction of the new David E. Kampe Tower is now into its final two months. Work will be substantially completed by mid-December and the facility is to officially open for patients on April 29, 2019.
The top three floors will house 84 new single-bed patient rooms (no one will be charged extra for a “private room.” In tandem with this, plans call for the existing four-bedrooms to be reduced to two bedrooms and two bedrooms will become single-bed rooms. Patients will get better rest and have less chance of picking up infectious germs from other patients.
Display for major donors
Time is also running out on the opportunity for major donors to be recognized for contributing to the SOS Medical Foundation’s tower equipment campaign.
A display will be located in the tower’s main-floor lobby, featuring the names of those who donated $10,000 or more to our $20-million campaign. The display is now being finalized so if you’ve been considering a donation, now is the time to contact our office to support quality healthcare.
Gift a share
The benefits of making a charitable donation through the transfer of stocks can’t be understated.
When you donate stocks which have appreciated, you avoid the capital gains tax. This represents an additional tax incentive from Canada Revenue Agency, over and above the donation receipt sent by the charity. Many of the SOS Medical Foundation’s donors already make their gifts by donating shares.
Another campaign begins
Kudos go out again to the folks at TELUS who have announced their latest campaign in support of PRH.
From Nov. 16 to Dec. 31, TELUS will donate $25 for every new customer activation of their Living Well Campanion personal emergency response service within the South Okanagan-Similkameen up to a maximum of $5,000.
This follows the TELUS campaign last summer in which they donated $25 for every new high-speed Internet activation in Penticton from Aug. 15 to Sept 30.
In total, TELUS has donated almost $19,000 to the SOS Medical Foundation’s PRH Tower fundraising efforts.
Shoutout to Oliver Rotary Club
The Oliver Rotary Club received a positive community response to their latest fundraising effort.
Hundreds of numbered golf balls were dropped by helicopter over a target at the Oliver Airport on Oct. 27.
Balls cost $10 each with proceeds split between the service club and the top three winners.
First prize of $1,495 was won by Jackson Stopa, the $897 second prize went to Shirley Kozma, while Edna Barisoff won the third prize of $598.
Oliver Rotary is a big supporter of our PRH campaign, having already donated more than $25,000 towards their $30,000 pledge.
Helping equip the hospital
Thanks as well to the Penticton Orion Lodge which recently gave $1,000 to help equip the hospital expansion.
They’re part of the Masonic organization which dates back centuries.
Locally, the Masons are great community supporters and provide free transportation for South Okanagan cancer patients to and from the Southern Interior Cancer Clinic in Kelowna. Rides can be booked by calling 250-712-1101 or 1-800-299-0188 (option 3).
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.