A bed fundraising campaign to replace 54 beds at Elliot Lake’s St. Joseph’s General Hospital (SJGH) is in nearing completion, hospital foundation chair and fundraiser William Elliott said at an event outside the hospital this afternoon.
“We’re at 90 per cent at about $291,000 out of $324,000 so we’re so close we’re kind of hoping that the last little push will get us over the top,” Elliott said.
He added the final money will be raised within the one-year deadline imposed when the campaign was first launched last March.
Chief financial officer Sanjeev Kumar said 18 new beds are at the hospital with the remainder expected based on slower production of beds due to COVID-19 restrictions.
On hand at the ceremony was Leslie Aubé a long-time Elliot Lake resident and supporter of the hospital campaign who made a $6,000 donation for one of the 54 beds.
“Our hospital is an important and integral part of our retirement community,” she said. “It is up to all of us to contribute what we can to help St. Joseph's General Hospital purchase and maintain the equipment and facilities we need.”
Aubé is a retired teacher who presently serves as a director on the hospital foundation. She has also served as a trustee and chair of the hospital board of directors and is a life member of the hospital auxiliary.
“Leslie is a great example of the generous spirit of our community,” Elliott said. “This is the type of support that makes projects like the bed replacement campaign and the CT scanner purchase before that possible.”
Since the campaign started donations have come in from individuals, clubs and organizations.