This 3rd annual fundraising dinner for the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation was once again a sold out, smashing success.  One hundred thirty four guest supported the charity and enjoyed an amazing, gourmet meal prepared by Chefs Taras and Audry Manzie of Southview Inn and Bistro in Kenora.  The weather on August 9, 2008 was ideal and the beautiful setting provided by the Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club enhanced the evening.

Over $80,000 was raised for the hospital through dinner ticket sales, donations, and a silent auction program. Guests clamored for the wonderful items on display, which was made possible through the generosity of the Kenora and Winnipeg business community. It was great to see summer lake residents mingling with Kenora residents.

Nicki Douglas and Bob Kozminski were the Lifesavers Dinner Chairs and they tirelessly helped with all aspects of event planning and organizing. Their efforts were valued and appreciated by the Hospital Foundation.

The 2009 Lifesavers Charity Dinner is scheduled for August 15. If you are interested in attending please contact the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation to be placed on the invitation list.

Alternatively, you may wish to consider holding your own summer fundraising dinner next summer. The Hospital Foundation would be delighted to provide you with a reason to throw a party!

Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation was honored to received a Robert Bateman painting ‘In the Oak - Great Horned Owl’ donated from the Pollard family in honor of their Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bob Neely.

Carl and Dorothy Pollard, along with their children Darryl and Cara-Lee wished to thank the 2nd floor East for the “first class care/service” received for their family members, who were both patients on the unit in 2005.  The family decided the donation of this painting of a great horned owl would be a perfect way of saying thank you to the unit and at the same time honoring their Aunt and Uncle. The Ducks Unlimited Collection painting hangs on the wall for the second floor sitting room for all patients and visitors alike to enjoy.

Patty Tittlemeir, Nurse Manager for 2nd floor East stated “It was an honor to look after Mr. and Mrs. Neeley”.

Pictured above with the Robert Bateman painting from left to right are Dorothy, Darryl, Carl Pollard, Patty Tittlemeir and 2nd floor staff members Marg Tella and Addie McGowan.

The Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation was thrilled to receive a donation from Home Hardware from funds raised as a result of a visit from the Cooking Ladies!

As the Cooking Ladies, Lamont MacKay and Phyllis Hinz, travel across Canada visiting Home Hardware stores, they work with the store owners to raise money for local charities. The Hospital Foundation was the lucky recipient of the funds raised during the August 2 visit to our local Home Hardware.

Larry and Sylvia Yanchishyn, Kenora Home Hardware Proprietors, embraced the opportunity to help the Hospital Foundation and held a successful event in partnership with the Cooking Ladies.

Check out the Cooking Ladies website thecookingladies.com

The Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation was pleased with the success of the 12^th annual golf tournament held on July 31, 2008. 

Proceeds from the tournament raised over $27,000, an all time high for this yearly event. These funds provide support for capital investment needs of the Lake of the Woods District Hospital. 

Congratulations to Joey Pedrick who shot a 75 and won the top golfer award. Another happy golfer of the day was Larry Karaim who won the $1000 Shootout prize.

The Hospital Foundation would like to thank David Pearce who was instrumental in organizing this annual event, the sponsors and the many volunteers who met both on a regular basis and on the day of the tournament to make it an overwhelming success.

See you next year!!

Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation was pleased to receive a generous contribution from Dufresne Furniture.  Their philanthropy was inspired by the urgency of the “Healthy Hospital, Healthy Community” infrastructure project taking place at the hospital.  The campaign goal of $490,000 leverages the balance of funding from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for the $4.9 million dollar project.

“We support the Hospital Foundation’s fundraising program”, said Dufresne Furniture store manager, Peter Manicone.  “The entire community benefits from the hospital’s services and we felt that a donation is a great way to be involved.  Our company looks for ways to make charitable gifts that help as many people as possible.”  Mr. Manicone continued, “The explanation as to how the funds will be used made our decision easy.” 

Dufresne Furniture store administrator, Simone Roulston added, “it was shocking to learn about the funding hardships that the hospital undergoes.”

“The support of Dufresne’s Furniture is really appreciated”, accentuated Donna Wallace, Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation Director.  “With the great support of local family businesses like Dufresne’s, we are able to achieve some of our goals that have been set with the hospital.  This contribution is a great help.”

Dufresne Furniture’s store administrator, Simone Roulston and store manager Peter Manicone present the donation to Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation director Donna Wallace in the photo above.

Charles Stachan, 2007/2008 Foundation Board Chair, included in his Chair report that over $12 million has been raised from the community since the Foundation’s inception in November 1992, from both summer and permanent residents. This year alone the Hospital Foundation generated over $1.8 in fundraising revenues.

The Hospital Foundation transferred $405,572.26 to LWDH over the past 12 months. Hospital programs, services and departments that benefited from community gifts and donations included: Psychiatry, Morningstar Centre, Acute Care, Environmental & Plant Services, Chemotherapy, Intensive Care Unit, Diagnostic Imaging, Nutrition & Food Services, Surgical Services, Laboratory and Cardiac Diagnostics.

Charles Strachan handed over the chairmanship of the Hospital Foundation to newly elected Chair, Thelma Wilkins-Page for the 2008/2009 year.

Although there are challenges ahead for the Hospital Foundation the future looks bright. The hospital’s capital requirements are ongoing, however with the continued support of both our summer and permanent residents, our community can make a difference.

Recent Purchases:

• CT Scanner Service Contract Fees $130,000
• Video Tower/Gastro & Colonoscope 111,500
• Roof Repairs 50,000
• Coagulation Analyzer - Laboratory 38,300
• Laundry Truck 31,000
• Micro Mopping System - Housekeeping 24,700
• Digitized EKG 15,100
• Bedpan Flusher 10,200
• Treatment Chairs-Chemotherapy 5,700
• Range/Oven 4,800
• Bariatric Commode 1,400
• Wigs - Chemotherapy 1,200
• Patient Exercise Room Refurbishing 1,100

Lake of the Woods District Hospital Needs

• Laboratory Information System $175,000
• Surgical Services Information System 40,000
• Telemedicine Equipment 35,000
• CT Scanner Software Upgrade 35,000
• Sterile Inventory Room 20,000
• Cardiac Rehab Program Renovations 13,000
• Printer & Forms Licensing Fees 10,000
• Dialysis Chairs x3 9,000
• Humidifiers - Respiratory 8,500
• Triple Channel IV Pump - Chemotherapy 6,500

 By deciding to make a gift - you can make a difference……….

Safeway Charity Challenge team did it again!  Their fundraising efforts for the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation generated $21,311.00 for the charity.  The donation will be allocated for priorities in the hospital’s rehabilitation department.

The gift reflects the success of the Charity Checkout Days and the TV Bingos that were held earlier this year.  Safeway customers generously supported the initiatives. “People do not hesitate to help the hospital when given the opportunity,” agreed Mrs. Julie Szajewski of Kenora Safeway. “Whether it’s a financial contribution or a chance to play bingo, if you are from Kenora, it is likely you say yes when asked to be kind.” This community kindness resulted in Kenora Safeway being recognized as the top fundraising store for all of Northwestern Ontario.

Pictured left to right is Mr. John Dahl, Manager, Kenora Safeway, Safeway Charity Volunteers - Julie Hamill, Marlene Kearney & Julie Szajewski, Brock Chisholm, Lake of the Woods District Hospital Rehabilitation Manager, Patty McLeod, Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation Director and Patrick Matiowski, Managing Director, Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.

The Lake of the Woods District Hospital will be holding its third annual Lifesavers Dinner on August 9, 2008 at the Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club.

There are a limited number of tickets available. The event has been sold out for 2 years in a row! Confirmed seating will be based on the receipt of your cheque or credit card payment.

For more information or to reserve your seats, contact Patrick Matiowski at 468-9861 ext. 419 or Carol Chrismas at 468-9861 ext. 469. You may also send electronic mail to hospitalfoundation@lwdh.on.ca.

The 2008 Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation Annual General Meeting will be held at Super 8 Motel, Minis Hall, on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 5:30 pm.

The public is invited to attend this informative meeting outlining the events, activites and financial status of the Hospital Foundation for the 2007-2008 year.

Enjoy refreshments and meet your Foundation staff and Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.

Please RSVP to Carol Chrismas at the Hospital Foundation, 468-9861 ext. 469 or cchrismas@lwdh.on.ca.