Submitted photo
Melanie Wilson, chairperson of the Seven Regions Health Foundation, says the group’s first-ever “Challenge to Match” campaign has exceeded expectations, raising significantly more than its original target.
“We were hoping to get $500 in total, so $250 from the public and $250 matched by the foundation,” notes Wilson. “But we ended up with a lot more than that, which is wonderful.”
The initiative, launched to fund outings for residents at Gladstone’s Third Crossing Manor personal care home, is already making an impact.
“We wanted to be able to make sure that they could go out and get ice cream or go out and especially for the men to go out and crop check,” says Wilson. “How nice is that, that they can go out and look at the crops... it brings back a lot of memories, lets them relive a little bit of their youth and gets them out for the day.”
Seven regions, one mission
Founded in 1997, the Seven Regions Health Foundation is a community-based, non-profit group separate from Manitoba’s regional health authorities. Its purpose is to raise funds for projects that directly improve local well-being, including physical and mental health initiatives.
“We have been funding initiatives to improve health and well-being across the area since then,” says Wilson. “We fund changes that are directly impacting our area.”
Wilson says the success of the campaign ensures it will return.
“We already have donations coming in for next year’s Challenge to Match,” says Wilson. “If anyone wants to donate, don’t hesitate to contact the Gladstone Health Centre and speak to Penny there and she can tell you where to send donations.”
Matching model drives momentum
Under the Challenge to Match format, the foundation pledged to match public donations up to a maximum of $250.
“We put the call out and just asked for donations to come in,” says Wilson. “Any donation up to $250, the foundation would match.”
Funds were then directed toward costs associated with transportation and activities through Northwest Handy Transit.
“We took all the money and put it towards transportation... and using some of the funding to pay for ice cream and different things that would be incurred for doing these day trips,” says Wilson. “I can’t wait till Christmas and they can go out and see the Christmas lights.”
Businesses and residents step up
Wilson says local businesses, organizations and individuals helped push the campaign well past its initial target.
“We had quite a few businesses donate this year, which was wonderful,” adds Wilson. “Gladstone Legion 110, Lickety Splits, Clark’s Funeral Home, the Langruth United Church... and private citizens too.”
She encourages anyone interested in contributing to do so anytime.
“By all means, anyone who wants to donate, it’s wonderful,” says Wilson. “It’s a great cause and it provides memories that will last literally a lifetime.”
Plans are in motion to collect photos and share highlights from upcoming outings as they happen. A photo of foundation members is expected to accompany the public launch of the initiative online.
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