Outpouring of Support for Local Healthcare Continues

Submitted by EKFH on 01-12-2014

Invermere, BC … The East Kootenay Foundation for Health’s (EKFH) second annual “Phantom Celebrating Health Care Campaign” wrapped up on October 31 and the outpouring of support from individuals and businesses continues to amaze, with $12,000 being raised!

The charitable campaign, which debuted last year, is a unique way for EKFH and signature sponsor Kootenay Savings to continue a fundraising partnership that originated with the now-defunct Celebrating Health Care Golf Tournament.

As was the case in 2013, when over $13,000 was raised for the Invermere Hospital, past sponsors, donors and many new supporters continued to show just how generous the people of the Columbia Valley can be, donating a total of $6,000, which will once again be matched dollar for dollar by Kootenay Savings.

All the funds raised will be used to purchase a variety of equipment – including pumps, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, heart rate monitors – for the Invermere Hospital, Columbia House Residential Care Facility and Community Programs.

While the Phantom event has concluded, Kootenay Savings’ commitment to local healthcare continues, with the credit union announcing an additional $5,000 gift to EKFH’s annual Starlite Campaign. The gift will light one star atop the East Kootenay Regional Hospital and will assist with the purchase of critically needed equipment for the new six-bed Intensive Care Unit currently under construction at East Kootenay Regional Hospital.

“We are very pleased with the continued success of the Phantom campaign and are inspired by the generosity of all the donors and the passion of EKFH,” offered Aron Burke, Community Liaison for Kootenay Savings. “In addition to matching donations, we are proud to make a $5,000 contribution in honour of all the Phantom campaign supporters and help kick-off the Starlite campaign”.

The Starlite campaign runs until January 31, 2015 and donations are gratefully accepted at your local hospital, health care facility or on-line at www.ekfh.ca.

Questions? Please contact Donna Grainger, Executive Director at EKFH, at 1-877-489-6481 or Aron Burke, Community Liaison, Kootenay Savings at 250-368-2683.

Employees from Kootenay Savings Invermere and Radium branches recently presented
the funds to Chrissy Stavrakof (Interior Health Chronic Disease Management).