GUELPH – Local philanthropists Ted and Neena Kohli are hoping with their donation of $500,000 to the Guelph General Hospital, others big or small will follow suit.
The Kohlis have lived just outside of Guelph, in Ariss, for almost 52 years and have been supporting their community for as long as they can remember.
“Giving back to the community is the right thing to do,” Ted told the Advertiser.
“We picked a facility we support because all of us have been or will need to go to that hospital.”
The hospital holds a special place in the Kohlis’ hearts, as all their children and grandchildren were born there.
Ted explained his move to Canada at age 22 was far from easy and he now feels proud to be in a position where he can give back to “the community that has supported me for all these years.”
The pair own multiple businesses in the surrounding area, including Robinson Buick GMC in Guelph and Robinson RV Centre in Fergus.
“We just hope it inspires other people to give back as well to whatever cause,” Neena explained. “We’re just giving back whenever we can.”
In December of 2021 the pair donated $100,000 in support of Guelph General Hospital’s Together, We Care campaign.
The campaign’s goal was to fund the expansion of both the hospital’s emergency department and its special care nursery, as well as investing in new patient care equipment and technology.
Though the Kohlis have donated to Guelph General in previous years, their most recent donation is their largest gift to date.
The majority of the funds will directly support the hospital’s highest needs, including vital patient equipment, surgical instruments, diagnostic tools, IV pumps, vital signs monitors and specialized patient beds, according to a Feb. 4 press release from the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital.
“The impact is immense,” foundation director of philanthropy Jennifer Hogan stated.
“We need on an annual basis new and replacement equipment and this gift will be transformational in providing us the tools to be able to do that.”
New welcome centre
She noted all patient equipment is funded through donors.
The hospital plans to allocate a portion of the funds to renovate its existing information desk to create a new “Ted and Neena Kohli Welcome Centre,” stated the release.
“The aim of the welcome centre is to quickly provide information and direction to patients,” Hogan stated.
“We recognize many of our visitors coming through the doors are preoccupied, with their loved one’s health top of mind, and we wanted to make sure they felt supported from the moment they arrive.”
“When people enter the main doors of our hospital, it can be overwhelming,” Guelph General Hospital CEO Mark Walton stated in the release.
“Improving that experience is an important step to ensuring an inclusive, inviting environment, and it’s only possible because of Ted and Neena Kohli’s gift.”
“We are incredibly grateful for their support,” said Walton.
History of generosity
Guelph-Wellington donors have been supporting the hospital since 1872 when citizens of Guelph and surrounding areas raised more than $3,000 to help fund their first hospital.
The two-storey building had 12 beds and a farm on the property.
The foundation has been raising funds for the Guelph General Hospital since 1987.
Those interested in donating can do so at gghfoundation.ca.
