The Groves Hospital Volunteer Association has reached its fundraising targets well ahead of schedule.
The association raised $1-million for the new Groves hospital.
The association met at St. James Anglican Church on May 31 to present the final $85,000 to hospital officials.
Association co-chairman Rob Gilbert noted that the association had raised $500,000 for the CT scanner at the hospital, and “We came in years early on that one. It’s hard to imagine getting that kind of money out of the Op Shop, TV rentals, and gift shop. It’s amazing they can generate those kinds of funds.”
Gilbert said the $1-million was raised for the hospital and will help pay for a digital imaging storage setup.
MPP Ted Arnott praised the group for its efforts.
“This amazing community success story didn’t just happen,” he said in a statement in the Ontario Legislature. “It involves literally thousands and thousands of hours of volunteer labour … and a sense of community spirit that is second to none in the province.”
Arnott could not attend the association event but wanted to extend his congratulations with his statement at Queen’s Park.
“I want to thank Rob Gilbert for reading my comments at the event and, of course, for the exemplary leadership that he and Norma Seibert have provided,” added Arnott. “Each and every one of the 250 volunteer association members deserves enormous credit, for they work as a team.”
Gilbert noted that while Groves is preparing to build a new hospital, that is not an easy process.
He said while the wait for a new hospital is long, “We’ve got to focus on what we’ve got here.”
Arnott, too, reminded the provincial government that Groves needs action from the province. He concluded his statement in the legislature by again calling on the McGuinty government to allow Groves to move forward to the next planning stages for its long-planned new hospital.
“This would be an appropriate way for this government to show its appreciation to Groves volunteers,” he added.
