By Angelica Ingram
The Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation celebrated another year of financial success at their annual general meeting on Sept. 29.
Auditor John West of McColl Turner Chartered Accountants reported to the board of HHHSF that it had been a very good year for the foundation during his overview of the financial statements.
A variety of events led to a strong fiscal year for HHHSF including generous pledges successful fundraisers and a transfer of funds from SIRCH and the former Community Care Haliburton County as a result of the mandated integration by the Central East LHIN.
The total revenue for the 2015 year was $980678 up from $631368 in 2014.
The special gift program was up substantially from $100000 in 2014 to $344300 in 2015. Fundraising also saw an increase.
This past year HHHSF saw a transfer of $230491 from CCHC and SIRCH.
Expenditures stayed relatively similar over the past two years with 2014 costing the organization $240954 and 2015 costing $266647.
Over the past year the foundation hosted a number of successful fundraisers including the recent radiothon which raised approximately $32000 Cash for Care Lottery and the Matt Duchene Rotary Golf Classic said executive director Dale Walker.
Money raised goes towards purchasing new much needed equipment such as an echo cardiogram or towards campaigns such as the Making Moments Matter campaign in support of the new palliative care centre.
The ongoing support is appreciated by HHHS CEO and president Varouj Eskedjian who said he continues to be amazed at the community support for health services.
“Our goal as a corporation is to enhance our services and our programs” he said. “Often times that requires the equipment to be able to carry that out. You’ve done it year in and year out … it’s with that support that we can continue to achieve our mission and to really realize our vision … continue those efforts because the need is there from this community’s perspective.”
Two members of the board decided to step down for personal reasons: Steve McLean and Ketan Dekiwadiya.
The slate of directors presented included David Zilstra Sandy Adams Don Popple Steve Todd Jim Mitchell Brad Duckworth Carol Patrick Dave Coulson Scotty Morrison Peter Oyler and Lisa Tompkins.
Walker said the board will be looking at some new candidates to fill the vacancies at their October meeting. The foundation is permitted to have up to 14 directors on the board.
