Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHSF) has announced a new corporate giving program.
Executive director, Melanie Klodt Wong, said Heat-Line Freeze Protection Systems kickstarted the campaign by pledging $25,000 over the next five years to support local healthcare.
Klodt Wong said the gift from the Heise family, which founded Heat-Line, “marks the launch of the HHHS Foundation’s new corporate giving program, designed to promote the importance of corporate philanthropy within the community and to inspire others to give in ways that are meaningful and lasting.”
Lorne Heise, founder of Heat-Line, said, “our company has always believed in giving back to the community that helped us grow. Together with Laura Roberts and Brent Heise, we are proud to support the HHHS Foundation and to help strengthen access to care for everyone in the Highlands.”
Klodt Wong said through the new program, the foundation, “aims to engage businesses who wish to make a longer-term commitment to the health of the community – businesses that, like Heat-Line, recognize the value of giving back and leading by example.”
She added, “we are fortunate to have a community of businesses that consistently give back, each in their own way, and their continued generosity is vital.
“Our new corporate giving program offers an opportunity for those looking to make a sustained investment in healthcare and to share that commitment with their clients, staff, and the wider community.
“There are many ways to give this holiday season – and now, this program offers one more meaningful way for local businesses to make a lasting impact.”
For more information about the corporate giving program, or for other ways to give, contact the foundation office.
Magic of giving
HHHSF has also launched its annual ‘Believe in the Magic of Giving’ campaign.
A local couple, Don and Anne, whose last names are not being released and declined to be interviewed, are the champions this year.
They tell the story of how Don’s cancer treatments became more intensive and the couple faced transportation problems.
“The radiation was exhausting, and the long drives to appointments was becoming impossible.” Don had always been the driver, and Anne nervous to get behind the wheel. “They didn’t know how they would manage.”
Then they heard about HHHS Community Support Services’ medically-necessary transportation program. They qualified for the subsidy. In September, Don took seven trips to Peterborough and one to Oshawa for treatment, each trip only costing $25 thanks to donor-supported subsidies. “It’s been really good,” Don said.
“It’s taken the pressure off both of us, and now we’re dropped right at the door, so I don’t have to walk as far with my walker. We have marvelous volunteers, and this program means so much to people like us who want to stay independent.”
Klodt Wong said last year, the Foundation subsidized more than 10,000 kilometres of medically-necessary travel. She cited how the gift of giving has made the new diagnostic imaging wing almost complete, thanks to the community.
She said another example is Meals-on-Wheels. She said the need for subsidies had doubled in less than a year. Last year, they shared more than 10,000 meals. She added longterm care residents now benefit from ‘MealSuite’, an innovative nutrition system that provides personalized care. People can go to hhhs.ca/foundation to donate.
And as of Dec. 2, the Foundation announced a $100,000 Giving Tuesday match from Scott Pollard and Suzannah Patmios. Every donation made from Giving Tuesday through Dec. 23 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling support for essential local healthcare.
Pollard and Patmios understand the importance of supporting Haliburton County, saying, “we believe it is the right thing to do and we are proud to support the health of this community.”
Holiday 50-50 lottery
Klodt Wong added the foundation’s 50/50 lottery is doubling up until the end of December, supported by Minden Subaru. Tickets are available at hhhsf5050.ca
“Every ticket purchased is an investment in local healthcare. The 50/50 is a fun and easy way for our community to give back – and with double the draws, it’s the perfect time to play.”
She added the Foundation also recently celebrated two local winners through its participation in ‘split the pot’, an Ontario-wide hospital fundraising initiative. Jesse Woodward won the $25,000 early bird in October and then Ricky Danilko won the grand prize of $300,144 in the same month.
“It’s amazing to see local names on those winning tickets. When our community participates, everyone wins, not just the lucky ticket holders, but all who depend on quality healthcare close to home. Tickets are also at hhhsf5050.ca.
