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Glen Rebekah Lodge invests in Neonatal Resuscitation Monitor

On March 12, 2024, Glen Rebekah Lodge in Elmvale made a $500 donation to the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation to help purchase a neonatal resuscitation monitor for the hospital’s birthing unit. Sabrina Desjardins, a newly appointed 4th generation member of the Lodge was inspired to help fund this piece of equipment by Melissa Robinson’s annual fundraising campaign to honour her daughter Celia’s memory.  

In December 2023, Melissa and her family donated $7,250 in memory of their daughter, designating the gift to help purchase a new resuscitation monitor.  This particular piece of equipment holds a special place in their hearts as it was used at GBGH when the team was caring for Celia in 2019.  

“I’ve known Melissa since high school, and I am inspired by what she does each year with her Bake Sale for Celia,” says Sabrina. “I wanted to support her and help to purchase the resuscitation monitor that means so much to their family, so I approached our Rebekah Lodge members and they agreed to make a donation to the hospital.” 

Melissa joined Sabrina to present the cheque to the GBGH Foundation, along with Sabrina’s mother Bonnie, Vice President of the Rebekah Assembly of Ontario.  

“It makes me so happy to see Celia’s memory continuing to inspire good within our community,” says Melissa. “I know how valuable the neonatal resuscitation monitor is in providing life-saving care for babies at GBGH.” 

“Celia’s story has inspired so many people, and we are so grateful to Glen Rebekah Lodge for making a donation in her memory,” says Victoria Evans, community giving officer, GBGH Foundation. “Every investment in equipment for GBGH is helping to ensure that the teams can continue to provide excellent care close to home.” 

Each year, Melissa hosts a bake sale in memory of Celia, with proceeds donated to the hospital that worked so hard to care for her. You can watch the Robinson family’s amazing story here: https://youtu.be/vtOJvr699TY 

GBGH Team invests in their workplace

From February 26 to March 1, 2024, the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation held the fourth annual Team Giving Celebration Week to recognize staff who donate to the hospital and encourage new donations. The celebration resulted in a total of $44,000 in financial pledges from 137 team members at the hospital.  This total pledge amount boosts the annual contribution by 22%, and brings total participation to more than 17% of the entire GBGH Team.  

“This week has become one that we all look forward to,” says Victoria Evans, community giving officer, GBGH Foundation. “We celebrate with free meals, snacks, and lots of prizes. We are so fortunate to have a number of local businesses help with the celebration, including Dino’s Fresh Food Deli, Sweet Treats Factory, Fresh Baked Consulting, RoyalTea on King, Tom Smith Chevrolet Buick GMC, and Little Caesars Pizza.” 

Members of the GBGH Team Giving Circle, which includes 100 per cent of the hospital’s senior leadership team, can direct their donations to funding equipment purchases, education & wellness initiatives or the Foundation’s Impact Fund. The Impact Fund provides the hospital with the flexibility to respond to urgent capital needs, such as when a critical piece of equipment suddenly breaks down. 

“Being able to support the Foundation helps provide us with the equipment we need,” says GBGH Team Giving Member Janine Duquette. “Having my donations come through payroll deductions makes it so simple to give back.”  

In 2023, the GBGH Team Giving Circle contributed $25,000 to the Foundation, which funded two new Olympus ENT Flexible Scopes for the Ambulatory Care department. These scopes will help to reduce wait times in the busy clinic, and provide bright, high-resolution imaging during ENT procedures. 

To learn more about other priorities for the Georgian Bay General Hospital, please visit: https://gbghf.ca/current-needs/