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 Newsletter - Summer 2000
Who - and What - Are We? By Don Leigh, Executive Director A Cottage Door reader writes: "I love your newsletter and read every word, every issue, but I'm not exactly sure what the Grace Cottage Foundation is, and how it works." Realizing that others "out there" may have similar questions, we are pleased to provide the answers. First, a look back to the year 1990, when a financial crisis - common to rural, non-profit hospitals everywhere - threatened to close Grace Cottage. Until that time, the hospital never had made a public appeal for funds, but when word of Grace Cottage's plight became known, the response from neighboring communities was overwhelming. The West River Valley needed its hospital, and $1,120,000 was raised from supporters grateful for its critical services. Then, in 1994, realizing that something had to be done to prevent a recurrence of the near-catastrophe, the Board of Trustees of the Otis Health Care Center established Grace Cottage Foundation, whose mission is stated in the Foundation bylaws: The Foundation replicated successful programs at many health care institutions - some small - who recognized the need to establish and build a strong endowment. The annual interest from this fund could be used to offset annual operating losses due to circumstances beyond the hospital's control, and assure its existence far into the future. Thus, Grace Cottage Foundation, working in full partnership with the hospital administration, seeks philanthropy to carry out is principal responsibility: providing complete financial support for Grace Cottage Hospital and its satellite departments in the Otis Health Care Center. Thanks to thousands of gifts, many small, several large, the Foundation has raised nearly five million dollars on the way to the eventual goal of a ten million dollar endowment, meanwhile meeting the year-to-year cash needs of Grace Cottage. The Foundation income has been disbursed in this manner: 40% contributions to the Otis Center; 42% to the endowment; 9% fundraising expense (a remarkably low percentage); 9% to programs. In addition to its fund raising responsibility, the Foundation staff, Andrea Seaton, Director of Development, Mary Gyori, Office Manager/Development Assistant, and Don Leigh, Executive Director/President, have many and varied other duties: All public and community relations, advertising, publicity and special events for the Otis Center. And, your Cottage Door! The staff would welcome a visit from our readers. Stop by for an on-site visit at the Foundation office, for a closer look at what we do. (Route 35, Townshend). The coffee pot is always on. Earl Pickering Joins Foundation Board 
Stratton resident Earl Pickering was unanimously approved to join the Foundation
Board of Directors at their June, 2000 meeting. A member of the Stratton
selectboard since 1991, Earl and his wife, Avis, moved to Vermont year-round
in 1990. Earl is a former resident of Lunnenberg, Massachusetts, where he
worked with the U.S. Postal Service for almost three decades. His stories
about serving on the U.S.S. Wasp with John McCain, Sr. and Admiral Halsey
are fascinating. Earl is a welcome addition to the Board. In addition to the many memorial gifts that arrive each month, the Foundation has also recently received several gifts in honor of three individuals: Cara Sydelle Linder Ida Paterson O.H.C.C. WEB SITE REDESIGNED Thanks to the determination and imagination of Development Assistant Mary Gyori, and the design talent and professionalism of webmaster Bahman Mahdavi of www.webwerk.com, the Otis Health Care Center's website has been completely redesigned and updated. For a current listing of employment opportunities, photos of O.H.C.C. buildings and staff, a Fair Day update, a listing of medical staff and a description of services, and information on how to donate to O.H.C.C, log onto one of the three following addresses, all of which lead to the same site: www.gracecottagehospital.org www.otishealthcarecenter.org MEMORIAL GIFTS Donations have been received since June, 2000 in memory of the following individuals:
We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of these individuals and our appreciation to those who gave to the Otis Health Care Center, Grace Cottage Hospital, and the Stratton House Activities Fund in their memory. All gifts and their donors will be acknowledged in the Foundation's Annual Report. Just Another Piece of "Junk Mail"? Do you toss Cottage Door right into the "round file"? If so, let the Foundation know so that you can be removed from the mailing list. Drop a note, phone, or e-mail us (all of the pertinent information is listed below) and write "Remove." We'll know what you're referring to...and we'll miss you! For Information on Ways you can help: Box 1, Townshend VT 05353-0001 802-365-9109/telephone 802-365-7543/fax info@gcfound.org/E-MAIL www.gracecottagehospital.org www.gracecottage.org www.otishealthcarecenter.org |
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