NEWS RELEASE
GEORGIAN BAY GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
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Earlier this year, the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation launched the Business Cares program, offering local organizations the opportunity to support their hospital in whatever way works best for each unique business.
Since March, 18 Business Cares partners have cumulatively donated more than $37,000 in cash, and tens of thousands in kind, to the Foundation in support of the most critical equipment and technology needs at GBGH.
Local businesses have jumped on board, running one-day or single-product sales promotions, making donations based on referrals or product sales, facilitating employee giving and even running social media challenges.
The program offers partners the flexibility to build their brand while having a great impact on patient care at Georgian Bay General Hospital.
“I am a self-employed, local businesswoman who wants to help the community in any way that I can,” shares Roberta Courtemanche, financial advisor. “I love the Business Cares program because it allows me to customize my donations to the scale of my business. By tying my giving to my new group benefits plans as well as my group benefits plan renewals, I am able to give when I receive income at various times during the calendar year. This way it is affordable to me, my family and my business.”
The Foundation recognizes the support of Business Cares partners through all of its digital platforms (social media & web), news releases and donor newsletters.
“It has been exciting to see so many local businesses finding unique ways to give back to our hospital,” says Christine Baguley, philanthropy officer, GBGH Foundation. “Especially during this season of uncertainty, we are incredibly grateful that our partners are asking ‘how can I help’, and then rallying the community to join them in supporting local healthcare.”
A special thank you to these Business Cares partners for their recent support:
- Lindsay Schultz Kitchens & Cabinetry pledged a $350 donation for each kitchen sold from March to May.
- The Buttertart Festival donated proceeds from t-shirt sales, which was matched by Corsica Homes.
- Maple Leaf Marinas donated 10 cents/litre of gas sold at their five Georgian Bay marinas on the August long weekend.
- Balm Beach House of Glass wrapped up their 20th-anniversary promotion, where they donated 10 per cent of orders greater than $5,000 to GBGH.
- Harvey’s Midland donated 10 per cent of their net sales on July 7.
- The World Famous Dock Lunch (OPA Catering) donated the proceeds from two meals deals sold on April 24, and donated $1 for every mask-wearing photo shared on their social media channels in July.
- Heather Forget, of Purely Spoiled, collected donations from her customers and Facebook followers, in exchange for a chance to win prizes.
- The Happy Pineapple Boutique donated proceeds from their merchandise sales in April and all the proceeds from the sale of fabric masks in August & September.
- Linda Chaplin & Jenna Lorette, from The Mortgage Centre, continue to make a donation for every closed mortgage.
- Saturday Afternoons donated five dollars from the sale of each "Stay Home Stay Safe" Candle Sand Kit.
- Central Spa, Franke Kindred and Industrial Filter Manufacturing facilitate employee giving to GBGH through their payroll systems.
- Roberta Courtemanche, from Sunlife Financial, pledged a donation from every new group benefits plan sold or renewed.
- Faris Team Real Estate Brokerage donated the funds typically spent on their customer appreciation event when it had to be cancelled.
- Brandy’s Cove Yachting Centre donated the funds typically spent on their year-end boater celebration.
- WellSwept Chimneys pledged 10 per cent of their gross sales from June-August to the Foundation.
- RONA in Midland participated in the Lowes’ Heroes program, collecting donations for GBGH, which were matched at 50 per cent by Lowes Canada.
- Dozens of businesses who supported the hospital with in-kind donations of meals, snacks and PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anyone wishing to learn more, or become a Business Cares partner can contact Christine Baguley, philanthropy officer, at [email protected] or 705-526-1300 ext.5338.
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