by Lynne Clifford-Ward, KDH Foundation
The Kemptville District Hospital Foundation is in the process of raising $2.2 million to bring a CT Scanner to the Hospital. What follows is the Hospital’s chronological story, how it came to be, how the community has generously supported the Hospital over the decades, how it has been physically transformed since 1960 and why the current fundraising campaign is such an important Crossroads for the Hospital and the community.
KDH and the Great Ice Storm, January 1998
In January 1998, when the “Great Ice Storm” hit Eastern Ontario, the local impact was devastating, dangerous and life threatening. Some 11,000 hydro poles were shattered by the weight of ice accumulation and power was out for many weeks in the area.
KDH assumed a leadership role, offering a warm oasis, food and respite to one and all, running its generators 24/7. Over the weeks, thousands of meals were prepared at the Hospital, with an average of 500 meals going out daily. As many as 20 turkeys per day were cooked at Grahame Bakery’s wood-fired ovens in Kemptville and brought to the Hospital for meal distribution.
During the Ice Storm, volunteer Harry Pratt (1947-2015) helped the community in any way he could. Always a great champion for the Hospital and the Foundation – and who also at different times held directorships in each organization – he received The Governor General ‘Caring Canadian’ Award in 1999 for his significant contributions and leadership during this dire time.
The community was also grateful when the Canadian Armed Forces responded to the crisis with “Operation Recuperation”. It included thousands of military personnel, both Regular and Reserve Force, who drove to Eastern Ontario on icy treacherous roads from Base Petawawa and elsewhere. It was the largest peacetime mobilization of soldiers in Canadian history. From clearing tree debris to delivering food, water and wood, they also worked closely with the Hospital, setting up a medical unit at the Emergency Command Centre located initially at the W.B. George Centre.
Millenium 2000 Crossroads: “Lean On Me” Campaign
As the Millennium Year 2000 approached, the Hospital confronted another Crossroads: the Hospital needed to update its facilities to help attract and recruit new physicians.
The first step was the construction of a 7,000 square feett Health Centre on the KDH campus. Former KDH CEO, (the late) Lynne Budgell, said it was “built with vision for the future.” Kenneth Mews, Past KDH Board Chair (2002-2005), recalled in an interview that it seemed almost crazy to be building in a time of financial restraint, but the Hospital needed to do something to solve the shortage of physicians. The KDH Health Centre opened October 4, 2002.
To achieve further physical transformation, another “call to action” in the mid-2000’s was issued to the community: build a new, modern emergency room (ER), new operating rooms (OR) and a digital imaging (DI) department with X-ray, ultrasound, mammography and bone density facilities. An $8 million capital campaign called “Lean On Me” began in 2004 and was led by (the late) Gerald Tallman, with his wife Louise close at his side. He said at the time, “KDH is very near and dear to the hearts of North Grenville and the entire area. We need to redouble our effort to mobilize all the support we can to reach our final goal.”
The campaign goal was achieved with the community’s generous support and spirit, led by visionary governance, the KDH Foundation and the KDH Auxiliary. The Auxiliary contributed $50,000 for the purpose of building a new gift shop and café. The grand celebratory opening of the new facilities featured the major benefactors, with the Tallman family joyfully cutting the ribbon on September 10, 2010. This was also the 50th anniversary year of the Hospital.
Shortly after the opening of the new ER and OR, the Auxiliary generously pledged $100,000 towards the mammography suite which opened in the Digital Imaging Department in 2011. Lis Angus, Past Auxiliary President (2006-2008) and Past Board Chair (2014-2016) said the pledge was “really a leap of faith!” Members of the Auxiliary participated in many walk-bike-run-a-thons for three years to meet their commitment, completed in 2013.
Additionally, the Auxiliary’s “Hey Day” – a huge community garage sale held annually in early June since 1961 (except for 1967 and the COVID years 2020-2022) – has also contributed to their outstanding fundraising endeavours to make the patient experience better. This has included purchasing patient equipment such as wheelchairs and smart beds as well as providing scholarships to local graduates who intend to pursue studies in healthcare.
