The Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) Foundation has shifted its fundraising focus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The foundation recently cancelled its annual golf tournament, a major fundraiser that, last year, brought in $77,500 to go toward a CT scanner.
“We couldn’t count on it proceeding as normal,” Sarah Petrie, communications officer with the foundation, said of the event scheduled for June 10. “It would be a tough time to ask for the same amount from our community supporters.”
While officials are “trying to think of other ways” to make up for the money that will be lost as a result of the cancellation, their main concern now is COVID-19, she said.
The foundation launched the COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Fund on March 16. Donations will go toward supporting OSMH’s front-line health-care staff and could be used to purchase masks, ventilators, monitors and “anything that could possibly help us during the pandemic,” Petrie said.
Some of the golf sponsors have redirected those donations to the fund.
As of Monday afternoon, $16,934.94 had been donated.
“The community response has been amazing. They’ve really supported us,” Petrie said. “We’re hoping they can continue to support us with whatever they can.”
The foundation will be mailing letters to residents within the next couple of weeks to appeal for donations.
Donations to the fund can be made here.
Another significant fundraiser for the foundation is the annual hospital gala.
“As of now, we still plan to move full-force ahead with our fall gala as a way to encourage our sponsors and the community at large to come together in support of the hospital once this pandemic passes,” Petrie said.
