NEWS

Holiday Season is Time for Giving

Donations to non-profit and charitable organizations tend to increase around the holiday season as people begin to reflect on the past year and get excited about spending time with family, friends and loved ones. 

Many local businesses and individuals reflect on their favourite charitable causes as the holidays approach and consider making a donation before the end of the year to take advantage of tax benefits.

In particular, the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation relies on many annual holiday donations from local businesses as they provide a large percentage of funds that help patient care at the hospital.

As an example, between 1993 and 2007, Dortmans Brothers Barn Equipment (2007 Staff picture below) have contributed over $12,420 in total to patient care at SMGH. This year they made another $1000 donation in support of the CT scanner campaign.

“In the past we used to make up 200+ gift baskets for customers. Now, instead of spending money on some kind of Christmas gift, we make a donation on behalf of our customers to support SMGH because it's our local hospital. We feel the funds are better spent helping our community, we are trying to donate where we can,” said Julie Dortmans, Health & Safety Coordinator, Dortmans Bros.

Some workplaces hold special fundraising luncheons or 'drives' each year to raise funds.  Annual donations help the Foundation to increase fundraising revenues to the hospital.

Another example of a strong corporate giver is Wescast Industries. Since 1996, the company has given more than $833,000 for high priority patient care needs. This has been accomplished through regular employee donations and annual donations from the Wescast Community Involvement Team.

Over the years many businesses and donors have been recognized for the consistent support they provide to the hospital. Without these generous gifts, SMGH would not be able to continue to provide the most current technologies, like the CT scanner, to enhance patient care.

“Annual holiday gifts from local businesses and individuals are fundamental to Strathroy Hospital ,” says Susan McLean, CEO, SMGH Foundation.

“We cannot adequately express just how important philanthropy continues to be to Strathroy Hospital and how grateful we are to those who continue to share their good fortune with us in support the high quality patient care that we all deserve.”