A Message from Our President and Executive Director

2007 was a busy, exciting, historical year for the Kishwaukee Health Foundation.

It all began in November 2003, when the KishHealth System Board of Directors made the unanimous decision to build a replacement hospital on the Kishwaukee Community Hospital grounds. Much thought and research went into this decision, and input from local community leaders was sought and considered as well.

Following a long, detailed planning process it was announced that the $102 million project would be financed through existing capital, bonds, and donations from the community.

The Foundation seeded the community campaign with a $1 million donation, and challenged the community, including KCH employees, to raise another $6 million. Through various means and a lot of board and committee participation and work, the community answered the call and then some. When all was said and done, the $7 million challenge turned into over $9.3 million donated and pledged to the new hospital.

Less than two weeks short of two years later, the new Kishwaukee Community Hospital opened its doors on October 2, 2007 at One Kish Hospital Drive in DeKalb. From the bottom of our hearts, the Foundation staff and board thanks everyone who made this possible!

Speaking of the Foundation board, we are fortunate to have a very committed and knowledgeable group of community and business leaders serving to help shape the future of the Foundation and the funding of healthcare services for years to come. Please note the board listing below, and when you run into any of these folks in the store or at a sporting event, thank them for helping to provide you and all of our community members the best of healthcare.

We would also like to give our sincere appreciation to the more than 4200 donors who have and continue to show their support of our clinical and end-of-life care by their generous and loyal donations to DeKalb County Hospice, Kishwaukee Community Hospital, and Valley West Community Hospital through the Kishwaukee Health Foundation.

The Friends for Life KCH100 annual giving program (KCH) and Heart of the Hospital annual giving program (VWCH) have grown this past year as well. Friends For Life KCH100, which began in 1981, boasts 351 current contributors, 948 Life Members, and twelve new additions to the Forest of Life this past year. At Valley West, the Heart of the Hospital began in 2004 and since its inception has signed on over 200 donors, and has received gifts totaling over $250,000.

An unrestricted endowment fund is in the works to allow the flexibility needed to meet future demands for our non-profit entities. Our current asset base stands at over $4.8 million. As always, our goal is to build a stronger Foundation for healthcare across our service area. With your continuing help, we will reach our goal.

Kishwaukee Health Foundation Board Trustees

Class of 2008
Tom Matya
Richard Underwood
John Ward
Mike Weckerley

Class of 2009
John Corsiglia
Gary Evans, Secretary/Treasurer
Virginia Larsen, Chair
Craig Mathey
Craig Stevenson, Vice Chair

Class of 2010
Rodney Borstad
Tonda Bruch
Cindy Capek
Jeanette Heinisch
Dave Maroo
John Schmidt

Ex-officio
Kevin Poorten, KishHealth System President & CEO
Brad Copple, Administrator, KCH & VWCH
Loren Foelske, KishHealth System Vice President, Finance
Karen Hagen, Executive Director, DeKalb County Hospice
Renee Ellingson, Executive Director, Kishwaukee Health Foundation

Kishwaukee Health Foundation Staff

Please contact any of us with questions or for more information.

Renee Ellingson
Executive Director
815.748.8902
rellingson@kishhealth.org

Chris Sarver
Development Assistant
815.756.1521 x153445
csarver@kishhealth.org

Linda Linden
Development Coordinator
815.756.1521 x153575
llinden@kishhealth.org

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