Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation 101: More Than Fundraisers
By Beth Shafer, Growth and Development Coordinator
Have you ever wondered what the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation really does? Many people recognize the Foundation for sponsoring popular events like the annual golf tournament and Christmas Fantasy—but there’s much more happening behind the scenes.
The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation was incorporated on July 26, 1982, with the mission of raising funds to support Veterans Memorial Hospital and local health care needs. Today, nearly 20 dedicated volunteers meet regularly to plan and promote fundraising events, while also identifying and helping meet medical needs throughout the communities served by Veterans Memorial Hospital and Clinics.
In December 2025, Beth Shafer was hired as the hospital’s Growth and Development Coordinator and works closely with the Foundation. In this role, Beth supports fundraising efforts, builds meaningful connections with donors throughout the community and leads grant-writing initiatives
The Foundation supports many different types of giving options. One of the most popular is the memorial gifts. These heartfelt donations are recorded and acknowledged with personal thank-you letters, and regular listings are published in local newspapers to honor those remembered and recognized through these gifts. The annual giving campaign is supported each year by the generous support of community members. A specific hospital need is identified, and individuals, families and businesses come together to donate funds to help make that need a reality.
The Foundation is also updating its donor wall after several years, with more than 150 names to be added in the coming months. Moving forward, the donor wall will be updated annually. To make it easier for visitors to locate names, a new donor recognition directory has been created, listing all donors and the section of the wall where each name appears.
Sharing the Foundation’s story continues to be a priority. New resources are now available, including a dedicated section on the Veterans Memorial Hospital website featuring Foundation-sponsored events, multiple ways to give, and a convenient online “Donate Now” option. Additional pamphlets, handouts, and a three-panel display board help provide information to the public and are all available upon request.
Community engagement remains central to the Foundation’s mission. Foundation members are visible throughout the year, particularly during the two signature annual events they host—the golf tournament and Christmas Fantasy—which have become beloved traditions for many local families and businesses. These events do more than raise funds; they bring people together, create opportunities for connection, and highlight the shared commitment to supporting local health care. Beth also plays a key role in relationship-building by visiting with community members, making phone calls, talking to small groups and sending letters and updates several times a year.
Grant writing has been another area of growth. Over the past year, the Foundation has successfully secured several grants, including:
- Allamakee Community Foundation Grant – Pain management bed
- Arlin Falck Grant – Supplies for the Postville Clinic
- Farm Service Grant – LIFEPAK 35 monitor/defibrillator for the ambulance
- McElroy Grant – Support for the Postville Clinic building project
The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation continues to grow, strengthening its impact and building a lasting legacy of care in our community. If you have questions, would like more information, or are interested in supporting the Foundation’s work, please reach out to a Foundation board member or Beth Shafer.
