We are a long way from a big city hospital here in Montpelier, Idaho, so our small rural hospital is an important part of our community. Fortunately, it is an excellent hospital with great doctors and a community spirit. But, the patient rooms are 50 years old and have two beds per room. Two million dollars had to be raised in order to upgrade the rooms, which seemed like an impossible task for a city with just 2600 people in a county with a population of just 6000. We did it, and the groundbreaking was held on April 3, 2014. This may not be a great photo opportunity, but it is such an important event for the community that I had to share it. Hospital administrator, Rod Jacobson welcomed a large crowd, told about the vision and fund raising efforts, and thanked contributors.
The variety of activities used to raise money was amazing, including recycling abandoned cars (rust to rooms), raffling a restored Volkswagen donated by Patricia Talcott, and Auxiliary volunteers earning money at a Thrift Store, annual snowball dance, and more.
Three large checks were presented for $200,000 by the Hospital Auxiliary, $200,000 from hospital employees, and $1,400,000 from individual donations, including one of $500,000 from Ted and Liz Schmidt.
Several groups took turns breaking ground, starting with hospital board members and officials.
The hospital Auxiliary took a turn. My wife, Linda is fourth from the left.
Photographically, this isn't the most interesting post, but as an important local event and a source of community pride, it is hard to beat.
