Northwest Minnesota Foundation ~ Developing Community Assets ~ Serving 12 Counties FALL 2010
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Number 53
Strong Fundraising Tradition Continues in Greenbush Community supports new LifeCare Greenbush Medical Park The people of Greenbush and the surrounding area have always valued good medical care and their history of giving proves it. They built the first Greenbush Hospital in 1949, using donated money from nearly every family, church and community organization. And, continuing the tradition, they have given to support the new Greenbush LifeCare Medical Park, now nearing completion. “Our community has always been in favor of providing convenient quality health care, and I have seen first-hand how people are willing to support improvements to our hospital and nursing home,” says Dr. Al Larson, a retired veterinarian who was chairman of the Greenbush board when the original nursing home was added to the hospital in 1962. Larson served on the hospital board for more than 30 years, and now at 87, he has checked weekly on the construction progress of the new LifeCare Medical Park. “My wife and I are excited about the beautiful new building and how nice it will be for our community, and personally are looking forward to using the new exercise room.” Located on the southwest corner
of Greenbush, the new medical park sits on 15 acres and includes the LifeCare Greenbush Manor, assisted living apartments, and a clinic and wellness center. Construction of the $8.8 million complex is the responsibility of LifeCare Medical Center, however this does not include a few of the features required to make the new building fully functional. Carolyn Eeg, a Greenbush resident and former NMF board member, who serves on the LifeCare board, said, “Our goal was to raise $130,900. A generous donation was received early on from the Ted Peterson estate. Many fund raising events have been held throughout the community including pancake breakfasts, raffles, a hand-crafted keepsake ornament sale, a carnival, monthly doughnut sales, Greenbush-Middle River school
girls basketball event and many other group and individual fundraisers, including a noon meal at the Community Center on the 4th of July.” The additional funds will cover the cost of furnishings for the LifeCare Manor Community Room and Meditation Room, Coffee Shop, Household Dining and Lounge and Assisted Living area, courtyard and grounds, and the Wellness Center exercise equipment,” she says. Northwest Minnesota Foundation administered the donations through the LifeCare Health Care Fund. This past August, the LifeCare Fund advisory committee recommended a grant for $100,038 that represents the amount raised for the furnishings and courtyard. To reach their goal, $21,000 is needed for the built-in sound (Continued on page 5)