Recent drawings add over $4,000 to foundation campaign efforts

    HOULTON — The recent Southern Aroostook Trade Show was the setting for the drawings of three outstanding items presented by the Health Services Foundation. A Nintendo Wii package, Lady’s Luxury Basket, and gorgeous photography by local artist Bob Ellis, raised over $4,000 in the Foundation’s campaign to support Houlton Regional Hospital’s Nuclear Medicine Project.  
    The funds raised assisted the campaign, which has two phases, as follows: Phase I raise $302,000 for Nuclear Medicine Imaging Equipment. — Outcome was a complete success with a check for the equipment to be purchased, at no cost to the hospital. The imaging camera has been up and running since July 9, much to the delight of the radiology department, after a much awaited arrival.
    “The new Nuclear Medicine machine is wonderful, the patients love it and we are happy with this superb state-of-the-art addition to our department,” said Sue McLaughlin, radiology supervisor.
    The Foundation, now in Phase II, is focused on raising $700,000 in support of the expansion/renovation of the radiology department that will address critical privacy and comfort issues.  
    “The whole project of $1 million dollars has been a major undertaking for the Foundation, however, the success of Phase I truly reinforces what an incredible community we have that supports their hospital and the well-being of their communities,” explained Elizabeth Dulin, executive director of the Foundation. “Before the end of this fiscal year, we expect to be halfway to meeting Phase II of the goal, with a complete success story by fiscal year end September 2009. There are never enough words to tell our communities how incredibly grateful we are for their continued support.”
    The Foundation believes that the Woman’s Luxury Basket might just have been the biggest, most expensive basket every raffled in the Houlton area, with a grand total of $1,310 worth of items to make any woman’s day. This very special basket went to winner Sharol Putnam of Hodgdon who said later it took over an hour and half to go through everything that was there.
    “I could not believe how this basket took on a life of it’s own,” said Dulin. “It started with just a few items and then just snowballed so that the basket ended up not only with an impressive total inside, but an impressive 27x20x13 sized basket to hold everything as well. We had to have a wooden base built as no one would have been able to pick it up otherwise, and local Foundation supporter, Bernie McMann, made the beautiful base to accommodate.”
     The Wii, an interactive Nintendo game, was won by Christine Brewer of Oakfield, and truly was an exciting addition to the event. Since the Wii system itself is extremely hard to get everyone wanted a chance to be the lucky winner, and even more so as the whole package included an upgraded remote, a nunchuk, the Guitar Hero and two (2) $50 gift certificates for added games. Needless to say there was a big smile for our winner with this one.
    Connie Bartlett of Oakfield was the lucky winner of the beautiful Art Photography by local artist Bob Ellis. This absolutely stunning 16 x 20 framed photo titled “Maple Seedling with Rocks” was used for the artwork. The Foundation had also chosen this photo to be on the cover of another recent fundraiser, a 2008 calendar showcasing Ellis’ work. Dr. Ellis has been and continues to be an enormous supporter of all the Foundation’s efforts as well as sitting on the Board of Trustees.
    “He is always right there, ready, willing and able to assist with any ideas the Foundation may have in this very serious fundraising campaign,” said Dulin. “We cannot thank him enough for always stepping up and donating not only his work, but his time as well.”
    Our local Wal-Mart helped push the total way up with their contribution of an amazing matching grant for the Wii, plus gift certificates to the Wii and the Ladies Basket.
    “Wal-Mart has always been there for us whenever we ask for their support of the cause – they understand just how important our hospital is and they will do what they can when asked to help the Foundation reach their current goals,” she said. “If it were not for all those folks that came through for us we would never have been so successful for such a short notice event. To raise over $4,000 in less than a month is absolutely awesome and only happened due to the fact that a total of 45 individuals/businesses contributed items, time, and anything else that was needed.  
    “We want everyone who helped with this to know that you are special, you ‘made it happen’ and our deepest thanks go out to all,” said Dulin.
    For more information regarding the Foundation’s mission, projects, programs or upcoming fundraising events, please call 207-521-2147 or visit our website at www.healthservicesfoundation.net.