Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom and Community Care
By Beth Shafer, Growth and Development Coordinator
Veterans Memorial Hospital
This summer, our country is celebrating a special milestone—America's 250th birthday. It's a time to enjoy everything that makes Northeast Iowa special while also reflecting on the values that have helped shape our nation for generations: freedom, service, generosity and neighbors helping neighbors.
Summer has always been a season that brings our communities together. Whether you're watching a patriotic boat parade, cheering on runners at the Harpers Ferry Firecracker 5K, attending a local ballgame, enjoying a community meal or simply spending time with family and friends, these hometown traditions remind us what makes rural communities so special.
They also remind us that strong communities aren't built only during celebrations. They're built every day by people who look out for one another.
That same spirit is seen every day in the way people support local healthcare. Whether it's volunteering, attending a Foundation fundraiser, making a memorial donation or supporting a healthcare project, local residents continue to give in ways that help keep quality healthcare close to home. Those gifts help keep quality healthcare close to home for families throughout our area.
Volunteers are a big part of that story. Each year, community members generously give their time and talents by decorating trees for Christmas Fantasy, donating auction items, participating in the Foundation Golf Tournament or serving on committees. Every volunteer and every donor plays an important role in helping the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation support the hospital and meet local healthcare needs.
Every donation also has a story behind it. Many gifts are made in memory of someone whose life was touched by compassionate care at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Others honor a special caregiver, celebrate a birthday or anniversary, recognize a retirement or simply express gratitude for having local healthcare available when it's needed most. Each gift, no matter the size, helps support equipment, programs, patient care and improvements that benefit our communities.
For more than 40 years, the Foundation has helped fund important healthcare projects thanks to the generosity of local individuals, families and businesses. That tradition of giving continues today, helping ensure that quality healthcare remains available for future generations.
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, it's worth remembering that one of our country's greatest strengths has always been people caring for one another. Here in Northeast Iowa, we see that same spirit every day in the way neighbors support local healthcare and lend a helping hand when it's needed most.
The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation extends its sincere thanks to everyone who supports local healthcare. Whether you volunteer at an event, attend a fundraiser, make a memorial donation or help spread the word about the Foundation's mission, you are making a difference.
As we celebrate this summer and America's 250th birthday, we also celebrate the people who make our communities strong. Thank you for helping ensure that quality healthcare remains close to home—not just this summer, but for generations to come.
For more information, please contact Beth Shafer, Growth and Development Coordinator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
