GRAS donation benefits new hospital Healing Gardens
GRAS donates $250,000 to Groves Memorial Community Hospital Foundation
ELORA, ON — The Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) presented the first of three donation commitments to Groves Memorial Community Hospital Foundation.
The GRAS is the owner/operator of Grand River Raceway, where the cheque presentation was made on May 16. The organization has committed a total of $250,000 to be paid over three years.
The funds will benefit the new hospital which will replace the existing Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus. The new facility is expected to open in 2019. It will be located in Aboyne (between Elora and Fergus). The GRAS donation will be used to fund the New Groves Hospital Healing Gardens.
“We are very thankful for the Grand River Agricultural Society’s support of this critical initiative,” said Lori Arsenault, Executive Director of Groves Memorial Community Hospital Foundation.
The GRAS donation brings the fundraising total to $14.4 million, which represents 72 percent of the Foundation’s commitment to the Ministry of Health to raise $20 million. The sum covers the community’s 10% share of the cost for bricks and mortar for the new hospital build, as well as almost all of the furnishings and equipment needs.
“Every day, people at Groves Memorial Community Hospital make a difference. They are part of pivotal moments in the life of each family — all of our families — and they happen at Groves every day,” Arsenault explained.
“Groves is a unique hospital because of the values it embraces. Our personalized patient care is one to which larger hospitals can only aspire.”
The GRAS is a not-for-profit corporation, incorporated under the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies Act of Ontario and governed by a volunteer board of directors reporting to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
The GRAS mandate is to encourage awareness of agriculture and to promote improvements in the quality of life of persons living in an agricultural community.
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PHOTO (l to r):
Grand River Agricultural Society Director Tony Morris, Vice President Garth Green, President Paul Walker, Groves Memorial Community Hospital Foundation Chair Hugh Calderwood, Grand River Agricultural Society Directors Jason Castellan and Gord Surgeoner.