THE POWER OF GIVING TOGETHER
We often hear in the charitable world: “If I won the lottery, the first thing I’d do is support you”; or “I’m so sorry my gift isn’t any bigger.”
Perhaps donors think smaller gifts have less of an impact. Large donations make the news and names go on buildings, after all. But what happens when a collective group of supporters provide regular, sustainable donations, in any size, to a charity that they love?
The St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation (SFVHF) is fortunate to have an incredible group of donors that do just that. Our Monthly Giving club encompasses donors who give monthly, annually, and even through payroll deductions.
The Barry’s Bay Bank of Montreal has made it easy for their staff to embrace philanthropy. Once per year, employees can choose a charity of their choice and give through the bank’s payroll contribution program. Several have chosen SFVHF as their charity of choice to support local healthcare all year long.
Branch Manager Sandy Billings is a member of the payroll program and gives regularly to SFVHF.
“We hear it all the time at this branch: we need to make sure this branch stays open, so it’s important to give to the community,” Sandy explains. “And I’m sure every single one of us has had to be at the hospital for some reason. We’re so lucky to have healthcare services here.”
Two moments specifically stand out for Sandy. She remembers her late father who spent time in the hospital’s medical unit. One night, he was having trouble sleeping when a nurse stopped by and spent time simply chatting with him.
“He was feeling like he was the only one awake, and she came in and saw that he was up,” Sandy recalls. “They talked, and eventually, he fell asleep. Those things matter.”
The hospital was also here when Sandy’s husband faced a heart-related scare. He was airlifted to St. Francis before being transferred to Ottawa. The experience reinforced just how valuable it is to have local healthcare available when the unexpected happens.
Michelle Sayeaa is another BMO employee who makes regular gifts to SFVHF through payroll. When her father was nearing the end of his life, her family spent about a week visiting him in the hospital. Her daughter had also spent several days at St. Francis.
“Everybody was amazing to us,” Michelle says.
Having the hospital nearby made difficult times a little easier. With specialist appointments and other medical needs already requiring travel, knowing care was available in their own community made a difference.
It’s easy to take that convenience for granted, Michelle acknowledges. Whether it’s getting blood work done, going for a test or needing more urgent care, having a hospital close to home is something the community depends on every day.
That’s why both women encourage others to consider giving, no matter the size of the contribution.
“Nothing is too little,” Sandy says. “People think, ‘I don’t make that much money,’ but if everybody gave a little, just think of what that little amount would add up to.”
That’s the idea behind monthly giving. Through the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation’s monthly giving program, donors can make regular contributions to support local healthcare. Small, ongoing gifts add up over time, helping the Foundation provide consistent support to St. Francis Memorial Hospital, Valley Manor and Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care.
Regular monthly donations also help the Foundation plan ahead. Knowing that contributions will continue to come in provides a more predictable source of funding, making it easier to budget and plan support for the healthcare needs of our community.
For donors, monthly giving offers a simple, convenient way to make a difference without needing to make a large one-time donation. And as Sandy points out, those small contributions can have a meaningful impact when people give together.
“We treat ourselves to so many other things,” she says. “Helping somebody else makes you feel good. When you know you’ve made a difference, even in some small way, that’s what matters.”
Monthly giving is one way to help ensure that care remains close to home - not just today, but for the years to come.
If your employer doesn’t have a similar payroll program, there are still many ways to join as a monthly donor. You can give by credit card or directly through your bank account.
To set this up, visit us in person at 7 St. Francis Memorial Drive in the Health Centre beside St. Francis Memorial Hospital, call 613-756-3045 x 217 or sign up online using the Donate form at www.sfvhfoundation.com.
