Legacy Giving

Leaving a Legacy…

A message from past Foundation Board Chair, Dave Turner…

Our family has a long history with North Simcoe, and Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH).  My wife was born at GBGH, as were two of our children. Over the years, our family has been to the hospital a number of times, and we have always received exceptional care.

Each year, we show our gratitude to our community hospital by making a donation through the Cornerstone Partners program.  Our contributions have helped to ensure critical equipment is available for patients at GBGH – ultrasound units, vital signs monitors, IV Infusion Pumps and a portable x-ray machine as examples.

As Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors for the past three years, I have seen incredible generosity from our community, which is so important.  Our community needs a vibrant hospital to grow, and prosper, and likewise, our hospital needs the community support to thrive today, and in the future.

One way we can all help our hospital continue to stay up to date with the most modern equipment and technology is through Legacy Giving – or planned giving.  Legacy giving is a great way for anyone, even those of limited means, to make a significant donation to the hospital. This can be done through your will or a life insurance policy and is a truly meaningful way to ensure a bright future for our community hospital. As a retired financial advisor, I had the opportunity to help many clients add a planned gift as part of their will; and as a member of the Board of Directors, I was witness to the wonderful impact that legacy gifts can have on patient care at Georgian Bay General Hospital.

For more information on Legacy Giving, please click here, or contact Nicole Kraftscik, Executive Director (kraftscikn@gbgh.on.ca or 705-526-1300 ext. 5340).

Generations of commitment to the community

Through their involvement with many local organizations in North Simcoe, including Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), Susan Robillard & Phil DeBruyne exemplify what it means to be true philanthropists, giving of their time, resources and influence to build up and strengthen the North Simcoe community.

As humble as they are generous, Susan & Phil have been consistent supporters of their community hospital, GBGH, for more than 20 years. They are a true testament that every little bit helps. They volunteer for golf tournaments, buy event tickets and offer thoughtful insight when asked for advice as members of the Foundation’s Hartog Robillard Advisory Committee.  They make an annual financial commitment through the Foundation Cornerstone Partners program, plus they are always quick to respond to appeals for specific equipment and technology.

As Phil says, “there are so many ways to support your local hospital. We try to pitch in whenever we can.”

When Phil joined the GBGH Foundation Board of Directors in 2012, he was an active volunteer, engaging the community in support of the hospital through golf events and thoughtful conversations.  Two years in, however, he found himself in the GBGH Emergency Department, where he was diagnosed with a serious medical condition.  Phil spent more than 2 months in hospital – both in Toronto and Midland – on his challenging journey back to health, giving him a unique patient’s perspective on the healthcare system and a renewed commitment to support community healthcare.

For Susan, altruism was inspired in her youth, growing up with parents who were strong community supporters and active volunteers. Susan’s late father, Gil Robillard, was a visionary, and passionate about planning for the future.  On his passing in 2007, the Gil Robillard Endowment Fund was established through the GBGH Foundation, and the community was invited to honour Gil’s memory through donations which would lay the groundwork for a strong future for GBGH.

“Like my dad used to say,” Susan shares, “you don’t have to be rich to give, you give what you can, as often as you can.”

Gil’s strategic vision became a legacy in 2020, as Susan & Phil granted funds from the Gil Robillard Endowment to purchase 22 acres of vacant land, adjacent to the current GBGH property.  This land will be held in trust, enabling the hospital to grow to meet future demands for health care services.

“At this time, there are no plans for construction on the property,” says Nicole Kraftscik, Executive Director for the GBGH Foundation, “but given the age and size of our existing building, we know there will eventually be a need to redevelop and expand on a single hospital site.”

Even through the unprecedented instability of the past year, Susan & Phil have continued to support their hospital, and their community.  Their generosity is equipping GBGH to continue providing exceptional care, and inspiring the community to stay strong, no matter what the future holds.

To learn more about leaving a legacy to Georgian Bay General Hospital, please click here.