Volunteers donate $50,000 toward expansion pledge

$125,000 gift likely to be completed two years early

Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital’s volunteers achieved another milestone this week in their support of continuous improvement in the region’s healthcare.

The volunteers made a second $50,000 contribution toward their $125,000 pledge to support the hospital’s expansion and renovation program. Their five-year pledge of $125,000 is on track to be completed in less than three years.

When SHLH embarked on its expansion program in 2012, the volunteers offered to fund two major components—a helistop to restore emergency helicopter transport to and from the hospital, and a private consultation room for families and doctors in the new emergency department.

The helistop comprises $100,000 of that total. When the new facility was dedicated in January of this year, the volunteers were on hand with a $50,000 check—the first installment toward fulfilling their pledge.

Now, less than eight months later, they’ve raised another $50,000 through sales at the gift shop, vendor sales they sponsor, their “Art at Rest” furniture auction, and other activities.

Volunteer board chair Terri Langerak presented the latest donation to Mark Vipperman, FACHE, hospital president, and Kaley Petersen, foundation director, at the board’s meeting this week.

“On behalf of our members, we are proud to support the expansion and other programs to help our hospital provide the best health care possible,” said Langerak. “We’re particularly proud to help emergency patients by bringing helicopter transport back to the hospital campus. That is so important to get specialized treatment for critically ill or injured people.

“We anticipate completing our pledge for the expansion next spring, more than two years ahead of schedule.”

Terri Langerak presents a $50,000 check from Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital volunteers to Mark Vipperman, hospital president (left) and Kaley Petersen, foundation director. Behind them are the members of the hospital’s volunteer board.