VISIT GBGH    |    BOARD PORTAL    |    CONTACT US    |    GBGH 50/50

Your Stories
Category

Your Stories



Walter & Ursula Kunst first came to North Simcoe in the 70s, when they purchased a cottage on Fairlain Lake.  For more than 2 decades, the Kunst family lived in Maple, ON but spent much of their leisure time in the Township of Tiny.

It was during their time at the cottage that Walter & Ursula first became involved in supporting Georgian Bay General Hospital.  A visit from one of the Grey Sisters, who owned & operated the Penetanguishene hospital at the time, resulted in the Kunst’s first donation.

Walter was always thinking about positive ways to help others,” recalls Ursula. “He was a member of the Lions Club for many years, and lived by the principle that you give what you can. We were glad to support the hospital because they needed help.”

In the 90’s, the couple bought a condo and made Penetanguishene their permanent home.  Over the years, they continued to get involved in the community and support many charities, including Georgian Bay General Hospital.

Perhaps one of the best examples of Walter and Ursula’s generosity is reflected in their donation of $1,175 for three dozen butter tarts,” shares Phil DeBruyne, a past board member of the GBGH Foundation, and friend of the Kunst family.

In 2012, Phil invited Walter & Ursula to attend a Breakfast of Champions at GBGH, and it was there that the concept of the Best Care Leadership Circle was born.

Walter proposed the idea of recognizing cumulative giving over time, as a way to honour donors’ long-term commitment,” says Phil.  “He suggested the idea of the Leadership Pins to give donors a deepened sense of pride and inspire others to commit in the same way.

Walter Kunst passed away in February 2020, and the Foundation is honoured to continue to recognize individual (or family) donors, whose lifetime giving exceeds $25,000, through the Best Care Leadership Circle in Walter’s memory.  This recognition is important because these life-time commitments have ensured that the hospital is able to deliver exceptional care.

For more information on the Best Care Leadership Circle recognition program at Georgian Bay General Hospital, please click here.



In February 2020, the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation announced the purchase of 22 acres of vacant land beside the hospital’s highway 93 location in Midland. Acquiring this land enables the hospital to grow to meet future demands for health care services.

Both the Hospital and Foundation Boards of Directors realized their responsibility in securing this property for the future stability of GBGH,” says David Turner, Chair, GBGH Foundation Board of Directors. “By making this purchase, the Foundation is investing in the future of the hospital, ensuring there is sufficient space when there is a need to expand.”

The Foundation was able to purchase the property in part due to the generosity of the late Gil Robillard and his family.

My dad was a visionary with great foresight,” says Susan Robillard, daughter of Gil Robillard. “He liked planning for the future, and the purchase of land to ensure future stability does just that.  We are glad the Foundation could use the Gil Robillard Fund to help ensure the future of healthcare for our community.”

The Gil Robillard Endowment Fund was established in 2007 with a bequest from Gil Robillard’s estate, and like-minded community members contributed to it in his honour.  Because Gil’s family understood the intention of his estate gift, this important investment in the future of healthcare for our community was possible.

We call it Legacy Giving because a bequest, like The Gil Robillard Endowment Fund, can have incredible impact on the story of our organization,” says Nicole Kraftscik, Executive Director. “We are grateful to Gil Robillard’s family for their dedication to honouring his vision in such an impactful way.

Legacy Giving - Supporting GBGH FoundationSharing your planned gift intentions with the GBGH Foundation today ensures that your wishes are fulfilled in the future. For more information about Legacy Giving in support of your Georgian Bay General Hospital, please click here or contact Nicole Kraftscik, GBGH Foundation Executive Director (kraftscikn@gbgh.on.ca or 705-526-1300 ext. 5340).