Jim Gilpin told Allen County commissioners Tuesday morning the campaign to raise money to purchase equipment for the new Allen County Regional Hospital would remove much of the responsibility for equipment purchases from the $30 million construction and operations bond issue.
New equipment needs were put at about $5 million. Fundraising thus far has topped $2 million, with about $2 million expected to be available from bond proceeds.
The goal for the Uniting for Excellence capital campaign is to meet current needs and also have at least $1 million set aside to provide for future equipment purchases.
Gilpin pointed out enthusiasm of the fundraising group’s members and noted their efforts began Election Day night in November 2010, coincidental with results showing 72 percent support for construction of a new hospital funded by a quarter-cent countywide sales tax. Iola also agreed to provide proceeds of a half-cent sales tax already on the books to support the hospital.
“We got our first contributions that night,” Gilpin said.
While large gifts — one given anonymously at $500,000 is tops — add dramatically to the fund’s total, smaller ones quickly add up, he said.
Advantage for those making gifts of $25,000 or more is the opportunity to have a part of a facility named by the giver. Sizable but smaller donations may lead to the contributor’s name being placed with a piece of equipment, such as a $12,500 upscale bed named for a recent donor.
Gilpin mentioned another avenue to recognition, made public for the first time Tuesday morning.
A touch screen display is planned for the new hospital’s lobby and anyone giving $1,000 or more will have the right to have a brief family history digitally recorded and available for easy viewing.
“Names will be listed alphabetically and when a visitor comes into the hospital lobby, the touch of a name will bring up a biography and other information,” Gilpin explained.
Cost will be $6,000 for design, equipment and software, “quite a bit less than we anticipated,” he said. “Our goal is to have it ready for the hospital’s opening,” expected by mid-October.
Accompanying Gilpin to the commission meeting were Mary Ann Arnott, Mary Kay Heard, Gary McIntosh and Susan Michael, director of the Allen County Community Foundation, under whose umbrella Uniting for Excellence resides.
Anyone wishing to make a contribution — $1 million would include naming rights for the hospital campus — may contact any Uniting for Excellence member or Michael at the community foundation office at 201 S. State or by calling Michael at 228-4521.
COUNTY COUNSELOR Alan Weber provided commissioners paperwork to trigger a $5 million loan through Community National Bank to provide operating capital when the county takes over the hospital’s operation about July 1.
Weber said loan funds would be available May 30. In addition to operating capital, a little over $1 million will be used for closing fees with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), which has operated the hospital for several years.
The $5 million loan is a part of the $30 million obligation voters approved in November 2010. Interest will be added only when funds are withdrawn.
