Fundraisers return for Orleans Community Health Foundation

Money from Treasure Island, Mega Drawing will go towards projects at hospital

MEDINA – After a year dampened by the Covid pandemic, Orleans Community Health has embarked on a campaign of fundraising events.

Heather Smith, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, has announced the return of the Mega Drawing, which took the place of the annual Treasure Island last year.

“The cash raffle was such a success that we have decided to do it again,” Smith said.

Tickets are already nearly sold out, and information to purchase a ticket can be found online at www.supportoch.org/events.

The date of the drawing has been moved up to Sept. 14. With hopes that restrictions will stay lifted, the Foundation is considering a small event that evening, in addition to doing the drawing live online.

Proceeds for this year’s drawing will be split between two projects which are part of the hospital’s “Together We are Stronger” campaign to raise $350,000. The money will be used to fund eight small projects in several departments across Orleans Community Health, instead of one big project, Smith said.

First, they plan to purchase a new Hoyer lift system for the patient care unit on the second floor of Medina Memorial Hospital. The second project will be to purchase a new stress test system for the cardiac services department.

“We feel so blessed to be able to keep this vital service available to our community, however, the time has come for an upgrade to the unit we currently own,” Smith said.

In radiology, the successful golf tournament raised funds to purchase two pieces of equipment – an ultrasound probe and a new ceiling mount for the X-ray machine.

The main laboratory and outpatient lab have received new chairs for drawing blood, and countertops have been replaced in the department.

In February, a new coagulation analyzer was purchased with grants from the Lyndonville Area Foundation and Elizabeth Curtis Dye Foundation.

New hospital beds will be purchased for the second floor, at a cost of $10,000 to $25,000 each, depending upon the size and functionality, Smith said.

A grant from the Association of Twigs allowed for the purchase of a new oven in dietary services.

Other improvements include new privacy walls in registration and a separate entrance door to each registration area, thereby increasing patient confidentiality.

The pharmacy will see a new temperature control system to regulate medications, along with new windows, cabinets and counters.

Outside, all new signage is planned at the hospital and two dialysis centers to better inform anyone visiting.

In addition to raising money from the Mega drawing, the Foundation is planning the return of Treasure Island.

They are hoping to reach their fundraising goal with additional monies from grants, individual giving and corporate donations.

Hospital CEO Marc Shurtz announced the campaign at the end of 2020, and the board approved all eight projects, Smith said.

“The Lyndonville Foundation really got the ball rolling with their grant of $40,000 in February,” Smith said.

She added the hospital opened the door for a huge piece of funding by initiating employee giving this year. In early August they already had $8,000 in pledges, and $80,000 in grants was pending.

If Covid restrictions continue to be lifted, Treasure Island will take place Nov. 6 at Shelby Fire Hall.