NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
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Angie Green-Hill knows how hard it can be to pass the time during a hospital stay. That’s why she decided to do something about it. Her third annual online silent auction raised $15,000 for recreational equipment for inpatient mental health services at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH).
Angie has fundraised for outpatient mental health services at Soldiers’ for the past two years. This year she decided to direct the funds from her online auction toward items that would be useful to the patients participating in inpatient mental health programs. Having benefited from Soldiers’ mental health services herself, Angie sympathizes with patients who are on the mend.
“I know there isn’t always a lot to do while you are in the hospital,” she said. “I wanted to give back by funding items that will help keep patients occupied during their stay like yoga mats, games, and exercise equipment.” Angie’s auction has raised $40,000 over the past three years. She is grateful for the donations that come in from community members and for the help of her husband, Chris Hill, who drives around town picking up all of the contributed items.
“It amazes me every year how generous the community is with their donations,” says Green-Hill. “Everyone gets involved to rally around mental health support.” According to Philip Hough, mental health program director at OSMH, Green-Hill’s initiative will create a significant positive impact for the Hospital. “This donation will allow patients in the Inpatient Mental Health Unit to engage in meaningful experiences in recreation and leisure,” said Hough. “By increasing the activities available, individuals with physical, mental, emotional or social limitations can improve their ability to engage in leisure experiences in order to improve quality of life and optimal health.”
Always looking ahead, Angie hopes to continue her important Mental Health fundraising efforts. She is already fielding interest for next year’s silent auction.
“We can’t wait to work with Angie again next year,” said Brittany Wilson, development officer with the OSMH Foundation. “It’s incredible to have a grateful patient wanting to give back to the Hospital and making the kind of impact Angie is with her auction.”
Soldiers’ Inpatient Mental Health Unit provides treatment for the acutely mentally ill adult population, caring for approximately 800 patients annually. Treatment is provided through a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals with a focus on short term assessment, stabilization, symptom reduction and active treatment.
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