Have you had a wonderful experience at St. Lukes lately? Were you impressed with your outpatient surgery and follow-up? Have you ever felt extremely grateful that St. Lukes had an emergency room minutes away?

We hear so many compliments from so many people and it means we are doing our job, providing the best health care possible to the people in this county and to many who are passing through from other parts of the country. If you believe in the importance of having St. Lukes here, there is a way you can help by making a gift to the St. Lukes Hospital Foundation.

What is a hospital foundation? In many parts of the country, hospitals have development offices just like at a college or university. But more and more these departments are forming into full-fledged 501 (c) 3 supporting organizations so that citizens can join together and play an important role in helping their hospital. Our Foundation Board of 22 members can feel the pride and ownership that comes with raising money for a not-for-profit community hospital. They can encourage friends and neighbors to make contributions, attend special events, or serve as volunteers.

All gifts made to the hospital go through the St. Lukes Hospital Foundation. These volunteers, along with the Executive Director, Carol Jackson, have the responsibility to see that these gifts are properly taken care of, that they get to the right department if the donor has so stated, and that they are being put to a use that the donor intended.

The easiest way to help is to simply write a check any amount is appreciated and will make a difference. If the check is undesignated, it will go to the Foundations yearly fundraising project. If you desire, you can designate your gift to a specific department you found outstanding. Many people are so appreciative of the excellent care a family member received that they often designate that memorials be made to St. Lukes Hospital.

The Foundation also has its own endowment into which bequests are placed. So if you decided to leave St. Lukes Hospital a portion of your estate upon your death, that money would be placed in the endowment to grow in perpetuity. Planned gifts of all types are accepted by the Foundation, and we honor these individuals with a special plaque in the front lobby.

All of these gifts allow us to have what we need so that your care is on par with that of any hospital anywhere. We can renovate and improve departments or purchase up-to-date equipment. We can take care of you in the best way possible, from nurses who are up on the latest techniques (thanks to one donation designated for continuing education) to your well-being even before you even come in the door (thanks to a donor who paid for the paving of the back parking lot).

Even if you dont need a tax deduction, you can be of help by making a gift. If youre glad were here, providing exceptional care close to home, there is a way you can help.

Send your tax-deductible gifts to the St. Lukes Hospital Foundation, 101 Hospital Drive, Columbus, NC 28722. The Foundation is here to assist you in making the kind of gift that will benefit our mission and in turn, will be meaningful to you.~ Caring for the Community