Corporator Development Office Update

Make a Donation by 9/30 to Trigger the Centennial Challenge

Thanks to all who have made the Centennial Gala a Guaranteed Success

Emerson’s Hospital’s centennial is a reason to celebrate.  But there will be another reason to celebrate—if Annual Appeal donations total $925,000 by September 30.  If that happens, it will trigger the centennial challenge, made by a member of the Emerson Hospital Board of Directors who has generously agreed to donate $75,000. 

“That would bring the Annual Appeal total to $1 million,” says Diane Chellis, assistant director, Emerson Health Care Foundation.  “The last time we reached that amount was in 2008.”

The goal is for 100 percent of corporators to make a donation to Emerson each year.  It is one of the expectations the hospital has of its corporators, who have been contacted during the spring phonathon or via the recent mailing.  “Needless to say, we need participation by our corporators in order to reach the goal that triggers Mike Zak’s generous gift,” says Steve Carr, a corporator from Concord, who is now chair of the Annual Appeal Committee.  He is actively working, along with the rest of the committee, to raise awareness of the centennial challenge, hopeful that it will inspire additional donations from corporators.

These are challenging times, Ms. Chellis notes.  “We greatly appreciate the support we’ve already received from so many of our corporators,” she says.  “Their support will help move us toward the $1 million finish for this year’s Annual Appeal.”

Some important events are coming

Emerson’s Centennial Gala, scheduled for Saturday, November 12, is already a success since tables for the event are sold out, thanks to generous individual and corporate donors.  “Thanks to the community, our gala is essentially a sellout,” says Melissa Saalfield, major gifts officer, noting that a limited number of tickets may become available.  A reservation list has been created.

The community comprises the 41-member event committee, which has included several corporators and area residents, along with Emerson staff from pediatric nursing and the Pediatric Intervention Team.  The event, a “Big Party to Benefit Little Patients,” supports an important project underway at Emerson: the redesign and upgrade of the Pediatric Center on Wheeler 4, where pediatric patients stay when they are admitted to the hospital.  The result will be comfortable new rooms for patients and family members, a new procedure room and a creative playroom designed for all ages.

“The gala’s three co-chairs—Sandra Curran, Denise Haartz and Liza Snell—and their committee have worked hard on behalf of the hospital to create a special event,” says Janine Papesh, stewardship officer.  We all would like to acknowledge our three major benefactors who have stepped forward to ensure its financial success: Gloria and Chuck Clough, Middlesex Savings Bank and Lynda and Don Voghel.  The goal now, says JMs. Papesh, is to enjoy a memorable evening that marks the hospital’s Centennial.  “We will have a special treat for Emerson’s birthday for those who attend,” she says.