Community Helps GRMC Meet Annual Fund Challenge

A $25,000 jumpstart challenge for Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s 2010 Annual Fund Drive has exceeded everyone’s expectations by helping the hospital top its accomplishments from the same time last year.

In February, the Gosselink family, the Witt family, the Claude & Dolly Ahrens Foundation, and the Claude Ahrens Charitable Trust announced that they would match donations from all first-time donors to the medical center as well as any increases in donation amounts from givers to last year’s annual fund appeal.

The hospital announced this week that the challenge has been achieved. To date, the 2010 annual fund drive has raised $131,747 from 516 donors compared to $104,322 from 473 donors at the same time last year.

“The challenge really helped us accomplished more than we had hoped in terms of raising additional dollars and expanding our donor base,” says Mindy Uitermarkt, director of development. “This wonderful accomplishment could not have happened without the help of so many fantastic donors not to mention the generosity of the Gosselink and Witt families and Ahrens foundation and trust.”

About 350 donors qualified for the challenge. Of those:

• 181 increased their gift or pledge over their 2009 gift to the annual fund.
• 94 were first-time donors to a GRMC fund-raising campaign.
• 75 were first-time donors to GRMC’s annual fund drive or gave to the medical center again after a break in donations.

“I’m elated that the community has responded so well to the challenge. The hospital does so much to enhance our lives in the community,” says Susan Witt, on behalf of the families and foundations. Witt is the vice-president of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation. She also chairs the GRMC Board of Directors.

“It is exciting that we exceeded last year’s giving amount and donor numbers,” Witt adds. “I want to send a special thank you to those who gave to the medical center for the first time. These gifts will touch many lives throughout the year. The hospital has many needs, which the annual fund helps support. It is our hope that all the new and reinstated donors will continue to support the medical center for years to come. Continued support from the community is essential to the high-quality care we expect from GRMC.”

David Menninga, 32, a Grinnell native now serving as a police officer with the Grinnell Police Department, was one of the many new donors who helped GRMC meet the challenge. Menninga appreciated that the Ahrens and Witt families offered the challenge and matched his donation dollar for dollar.

“I was born in that hospital. It has given my family a lot of support over the years,” he explains, adding that as a child he made several crucial visits to the emergency department.

“The hospital is a good cause. I think the Grinnell hospital is a great entity. As a law enforcement officer, I am at the hospital a lot. I respect all that it does for the community,” he says.

Annual fund-raising efforts will continue. The annual fund drive supports hundreds of programs and services—from life-changing surgery and treatment for chronic pain to a fast-moving aerobic dance class or support from a compassionate healthcare provider.

Witt encourages everyone to consider what might work for him or her personally to support the annual fund drive even though the challenge has been met.

“Opportunities exist to support the medical center every day throughout the year,” she says.

To make a gift or pledge to the 2010 annual fund drive, jump onto the GRMC website at www.grmc.us and go to the link “Make a gift to GRMC” or call 641-236-2961. Donations may also be mailed to the Office of Development, 210 4th Ave., Grinnell, IA 50112.

GRMC Raises Record-Setting Total for Annual Fund Drive

Grinnell Regional Medical Center announced this week that it raised $363,166.75 from 1,032 donors during its annual fund drive. This is the highest amount ever raised in the medical center’s annual fund history.

The total amount raised is almost $50,000 more than what was raised in 2008. This is attributable in large part to several challenge grants made by area individuals, families, and businesses.

“The response for this year’s annual fund drive has been great. This kind of support is extraordinary for a hospital of our size. It really demonstrates the level of commitment people have for our community hospital, especially in a year when most charities are reporting a decline in giving,” says Susan Witt, GRMC board chair. Witt has served on the medical center’s board since 1999. She is co-owner of Miraco, Inc.

The annual fund drive enhances the medical center’s operating budget by making certain programs possible. It also allows GRMC to purchase important equipment and support daily operations.

“During these challenging financial times, these gifts are even more important to the medical center. They allow us to fund vital programs and purchase needed equipment,” says Mindy Uitermarkt, GRMC director of development. “We are grateful to all who invested in GRMC through our annual fund drive this year, especially those donors who matched gifts through challenge grants. Because of these challenge grants, every gift had a greater impact.”

Challenge fund donors were the Brownell Family Foundation, Grinnell State Bank, the Claude W. Ahrens Charitable Trust, Isadore Berman, Gerald Bell, Orville Bloethe, John and Marlene Manatt, Merlin and Verna Manatt, Dr. J.R. and Linda Paulson, Ramsey-Weeks, Inc., Searsboro and Lynnville Telephone Companies, and an anonymous donor.

“Since GRMC is a community nonprofit hospital, these donations have a major impact on hospital operations relating to patient care and comfort. We can truly say that the devotion and consistent support of our donors make many of GRMC’s accomplishments possible,” Witt says.

For additional information about GRMC’s annual fund or development program, contact Uitermarkt at 641-236-2961 or muitermarkt@grmc.us.

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