$50,000 Lead Gifts
$50,000 lead gifts for the SJLH Foundation New Hospital Campaign. Pictured: Rep. Jerry Bennett, SJLH Foundation Chairman; Devi McCully and Connie Everett, Board Members, Lincoln County Credit Union; Lora Ercanbrack, SJLH Capital Campaign Committee Co-Chair standing in for Shan & Barb Bush of A-L Compressed Gases; Gary Spencer, Branch Manager of Glacier Bank in Libby; and Bill Patten, SJLH CEO. Photo courtesy St. John’s Lutheran Hospital.
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Fundraising effort for new hospital meets half-way mark
$750,000 committed in support of a new hospital for Libby and Troy
by St. John’s Lutheran Hospital
March 18, 2010
Who says money doesn’t grow on trees, was the theme at a hospital fundraising celebration on Thursday, March 11, 2010, marking the half way goal that the Capital Campaign Committee and Foundation have reached in their quest to raise $1.5 million for the new hospital project.
"We continually hear how our economy has affected our country, but the economy hasn’t broken the spirit of the people of South Lincoln County," stated KC Hoyer, Executive Director of the Hospital Foundation. "When we are compared to other ‘wealthier’ communities I always say that it isn’t a fair comparison because the people of South Lincoln County have something far superior to wealth, we have generosity and spirit; and that’s a combination that makes miracles happen."
Raising $750,000 in less than twelve months is nothing short of a miracle according to Lora Ercanbrack, Co-Chairperson of the Committee that is leading the charge in this fundraising effort. "We have been at this for just over a year now and I am so humbled by the response our communities have given our effort," said Ercanbrack. "A project like this only happens once in a lifetime. People just really want to do their part to leave their legacy. Now that we are hoping to break ground in a year or so, we will really ramp up our fundraising efforts. "
The capital campaign’s first three lead gifts from Glacier Bank, Lincoln County Credit Union, and A-L Compressed Gases were applauded for their commitment to keep quality healthcare at home in South Lincoln County. "Rural community health centers are unique in that they have to offer the same services that larger healthcare centers provide, but many of those health care providers are only open 9 to 5," said Gary Spencer, Branch Manager of Glacier Bank in Libby. "Rural hospitals have to provide comprehensive services like emergency rooms, imaging and laboratory services, and inpatient wings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and those services are expensive. All of us who support the new hospital project realize the need for these extensive services, and are happy to do our part to keep them available when our communities need them."
The new hospital project is moving along as planned. The Design Development phase is set to be completed by the end of April. Swank, the Construction Manager, will need 3-6 weeks to get bids/estimates. By mid-June the hospital administration should receive the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). At that point the hospital can continue negotiations with lenders.
"We have worked through the design and equipment phases a number of times and have narrowed the estimated price of the project to 33 million," added hospital CEO Bill Patten. "When we were in DC promoting the project we met with HUD and USDA to discuss lending options. Senators Baucus and Tester and Representative Rehberg took time out of their busy schedules to visit with us about our recent appropriation request for inpatient equipment. They continue to support our project."
According to Patten, the project has been on the front burner since the announcement a year ago. "We have continued to move forward on this project since day one. One thing that we do not want to do is rush into this project and put the hospital in financial jeopardy," Patten commented. "Doing it right the first time is much more important to us than doing it quickly. Once the final bid is in we can move forward on lending. If that goes smoothly, we hope to break ground in the spring of 2011."
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