OLDS — The Olds Health Care Fundraising Committee has unveiled a new campaign goal: $300,000 to replace hospital beds.
Committee chair Liz Mills made that announcement during a donor/supporter appreciation brunch, held Sept. 10 at the Evergreen Centre.
Mills said the plan is to raise the money over two years.
“The technology has improved. And the beds were (worn) out because they are used 24 hours a day, seven days a week 365 days a year,” she said.
She recalled that the committee was actually formed about 15 years ago to buy hospital beds.
Last November, the committee announced it had received a multi-million-dollar gift from the estate of Sandra and Darwin Luft to be used for the purchase of equipment at the Olds Hospital and Care Centre. The precise amount of the gift was not disclosed.
Mills said the committee put money received from such gifts into a hospital equipment trust. She said they plan to utilize interest off that money toward the bed campaign.
Scholarship presentation
Also during the brunch, committee vice-chair Barry McCurdy announced the first recipients of the committee’s newly created health care scholarships.
The scholarships of $1,000 a year each go to École Olds High school grads planning to take post-secondary education in the health care field.
The 2023 recipients are Brooklyn Hogarth, Kassie Billings and Katy Saby.
“I'd like you all to give them a hand of applause for setting a vision working towards it, and a goal that they have in their hearts," McCurdy said.
“This is just so wonderful for our community to be able to help them just a little bit.
“It's all from generous people within our community such as yourselves that we can transfer on to the future in healthcare.”
Tribute to Auxiliary
Committee chair Liz Mills paid tribute to members of the Olds Hospital Auxiliary. In 2022, that group announced it had disbanded after 83 years of existence.
“Over the years they've raised a lot of money,” Mills said.
“The fall fairs at the Legion were a great event, bringing in many local groups, feeding everyone lunch and supper with all sorts of raffles.
“Over the years, these ladies have contributed countless times and we felt these heroes in our community deserved recognition,” she added.
