Check out this cheque

The Kateri Memorial Foundation (KMF) was proud to hand over this year’s big cheque for the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) following the 11th KMF Annual Golf Tournament, narrowly besting last year’s amount.

“We can’t do it without the support of everybody. This is a group effort,” said KMF treasurer Lisa Skye.

This year’s haul for the hospital is just over $181,000, which puts it about $1,000 over last year, according to Skye.

“It’s so worthwhile to help our community, especially our elders,” said Skye, who was in attendance at the residents’ garden to hand over the funds.

“Probably half the town has had family members in this building,” she said. “It’s not just a hospital, it’s a small community inside these walls. It’s our people that live here, all year round. It’s our people that benefit, and it’s wonderful to be able to provide services and equipment that otherwise they wouldn’t have.”

According to KMHC executive director Valerie Diabo, the yearly contribution from the golf tournament is a big help for the hospital, especially when it comes to covering unfunded needs.

“Government funding is very specific and often doesn’t cover things that will make our residents more comfortable. Other times, such funds are used to create services that did not previously exist, such as the X-Ray Clinic,” said Diabo.

Fundraisers like this one also help enhance services, said Diabo, and are especially crucial in an era of government cutbacks.

“From another point of view, it is very heartwarming to see the support we receive by way of community fundraising efforts and messages of thanks and appreciation from our clients and staff,” Diabo said.

“Healthcare is important but very challenging. Every gesture of support from the community, big or small, goes a long way in validating the work that we do, uplifting our staff, and enhancing our services.”

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter