Thursday, December 15, 2011

End of Year Gifts Help GRMC with Renovations

A bequest and an anonymous gift to Grinnell Regional Medical Center will fund renovations in the first floor hallways and the cafeteria as well as complete a sprinkler system upgrade. The $25,000 bequest from Dale and Eylene Brush will be added to a $20,000 anonymous gift to complete the first floor construction and facelift.

“We’re just tickled to be able to make these renovations to what many consider our entrance hallway to patient wings and the cafeteria,” says Kris Gilman, GRMC director of nutrition services. “This area can make an important impression on our guests. We want the facility image to match the excellent care, service, and food at GRMC.”

Excellent care and compassion during end of life and kind words prompted the $25,000 bequest from Dale and Eylene Brush of rural Grinnell/Lynnville. GRMC cared for Dale Brush during his battle with cancer and offered many services to Eylene’s mother in her final years. After the positive experiences and compassion at GRMC, Eylene wanted to give back to the hospital, says Don Davis, who is married to Eylene’s niece, Carol Davis.

The Brushes were long-time farmers north of Lynnville. Dale was an avid horse lover and judged 4-H contests for years. Dale passed away in 2000 and Eylene in 2008.

“I had the honor of knowing Dale and Eylene and we are so thankful for these generous donations,” says Mark Doll, GRMC director of facilities management. “I’m excited about helping implement renovations to the medical center as a tribute to them. This combined donation will allow GRMC to complete the much needed renovations. This is a tremendous blessing as we end 2011.”

The Brush bequest will be combined with an anonymous $20,000 annual fund drive gift designated for hospital renovations. By combining these gifts, GRMC will make an upgrade to the final segment of the sprinkler system in the first floor hallway as well as resurface the entire area from floor to ceiling.

Bequests through a will serve as an important way that residents can express thanks and appreciation for services and staff at GRMC. For more information about this option, residents may work with their financial planners or call Denise Lamphier, GRMC director of communications and development.

GRMC is nearing the end of its 2011 annual fund drive campaign. The annual fund drive supports operating costs at the medical center. This year, a special focus of the annual fund is to raise $140,000 toward four new anesthesia units for the surgery department. The medical center has raised about $120,000 toward the $140,000 project to purchase updated and uniform anesthesia machines for the four surgery suites. Each anesthesia machine costs $35,000. Grinnell College, Grinnell State Bank, and Laser Resources have combined funds to offer a matching challenge to the community. By completing the challenge match, GRMC will close the funding gap needed to purchase all four machines.

“We’re so close to meeting the anesthesia goal. Our community is truly showing its support for this need. We need just $15,000 more to complete the match and fund all four units,” Lamphier says.

Donations to the annual fund drive may be given online, by phone, or by mail. For phone donations, call Lamphier in the GRMC Office of Communications and Development at 641-236-2589. Gifts may be made online by visiting www.grmc.us and clicking on “Make a Gift Online” under Quick Links. Or, mail donations to the Office of Communications and Development, Attn: Denise Lamphier, 210 4th Ave., Grinnell, IA 50112. Donations received or postmarked prior to January 1, 2012, are applied toward 2011 taxes.

No comments:

Post a Comment