“…the great thing about giving to our hospital is that, when you make a gift, you’re giving to everybody. This is a group that cares deeply about our community’s health care.” —Ronald L. Woellhof
Jump-started by the overwhelming success of the 1995 Gala VI, net proceeds of $66,000 were contributed toward construction of the new indoor fitness and therapy pools. The addition of the 10,000-square-foot pool facility allowed the Wellness Center to expand its services to meet the growing health care demands in the community.
Focusing on the therapeutic environment that water provides, individuals recovering from injuries or major orthopedic surgery can benefit from rehabilitation in a non-weight-bearing environment. Opened in 1997, the indoor facility was designed to include a 25-meter lap pool and a heated therapeutic pool, both suited for group or individual exercise programs.
The HCMH Foundation inaugurated its first-ever capital campaign, coupled with the first major employee campaign, successfully raising $713,578 by selling pool memberships and garnering individual and foundation gifts. It was boosted by a $50,000 challenge grant from the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc., of Tulsa, Oklahoma, the first of three to be awarded to the HCMH Foundation to date.