Gift Shows Small Town Spirit

Recently, you may have read the article about Tim Newton’s gift to the Francis Mahon Deaconess Hospital foundation. When asked if I could write about it, Newton said “if this donation can inspire more donations to the Foundation then it’s all worth it.”

I had another wonderful surprise this week, as a donor stopped in to visit with me. We talked for quite a while, when they handed me a check for $10,000. While they chose to remain anonymous, I feel their story is still important to share.

I always say small town life has character; big ones have commotion. We grow up together, care for each other, and welcome people that come here with open arms. They may have been gone a week, 37 years, or are moving here for the first time. And yet they become part of this community. This donor, while not currently living here, was very active in the rebuilding of FMDH years ago. I visited with them about many of the changes they were involved with. With family still in the area, several of whom are employed at FMDH and some of whom have been active on the hospital boards, they wanted to make sure those generations are taken care of. During our conversation, they reiterated several times that the care received at FMDH has always been “excellent”. Their request is to have $5,000 to be put towards education and $5,000 for any needed equipment.

It takes years to build something, and this donor is a testament to that. The next time your child receives a scholarship from the FMDH Foundation, you take home the portable Bili blanket for your newborn, or use the treadmills in Cardiac Rehab remember somebody came before you to make sure those opportunities were available to you, your family, and neighbors. Because even though they don’t know you, you’re part of this community and that is everything to us.