Hospital Campaign

Greetings from the Hospital Foundation: by Duane Schatz

Your Hospital Foundation is a little over a year old, following an aggressive campaign "Investing In Tomorrow, Today" to raise a goal of around $500,000 to $750,000 to update a wish list of 30 some projects at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital and Care Center. Some of these projects should have been completed 10-15 years ago, but there was no foundation to assist with funding. Your board of directors approved the campaign that will definitely benefit your hospital. The foundation board of directors will be able to provide some funds for matching grants and will purchase as many items locally as they can. But, after all the publicity and editorials we are still proud to report that pledges of $461,569.00 and cash receipts of $121,022.16 are now realized. This is pretty close to the set goal and I am confident now we will make the goal. Just recently we received a pledge of $10,000.00 to the foundation from a person who really believes in your hospital and community. We thank them very much, But we need the smaller contributions also, like mine, I am a retired senior citizen but I pledged $1,000 with $200 per year for the next five years. If I can give more later I will as I believe the hospital is very important to this county. Many thanks to all of you good people that continue to support your hospital by attending this annual meeting and using the facility. It is the largest employer in Grant County.

There is a packet of information about the Foundation and how it operates and will be mailed to any one wanting more information on how to help with a donation to make the goal. You may contact the Hospital at 701-584-2792 ext 222, Duane Schatz at 701-584-2937.

Dr. S. K. and Indu Patel have donated $5,000 toward the fund raising efforts for improvements at Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center. The campaign "Investing In Tomorrow, Today" has been going very well. Dr. Patel feels there is a need for upgrades which would enhance the lives of our residents at Jacobson Memorial Care Center. After discussions with the nursing staff, the activity director, and the administrator, a decision was made to designate money for betterment of the Activity Department. The plans include purchasing a big screen TV for our residents to enjoy. These elderly pioneers have worked hard in building North Dakota, performing such tasks as picking rocks by hand, breaking land with a single one bottom plow and horse, with planting, haying and harvesting all being done by hand. It is felt that, in the latter part of their lives, they are entitled to some comforts and enjoyment. Jim Opdahl, CEO, is confident about the hospital's future, as is Dr. Patel. If all the residents of Grant County and the surrounding communities diligently support the facility, it will definitely continue to survive. Also, as the largest employer in Grant County, Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center's survival remains very important. Failure of this facility would not only mean healthcare hardships, but would create financial hardships and start a downward spiral of area economics and businesses. For this reason, everyone should work together for the betterment of this facility. Foundation board members are: Duane Schatz, President; Jerry Roehrich, Vice President; Carlton Levorsen, Secretary-Treasurer; Elroy Herbel, Aaron Levorsen, and ex-officio members Don Okken and Donna VandenBurg. PLEASE contact them or Marci Koepplin at the Development Department Office 701-584-2792, ext 222 with any concerns or questions.