Karen Girling and Bruce MacLellan have been continuous donors to Huntsville Hospital for 25 years with gifts totaling over $250,000. Their families have been members of  the Huntsville/Lake of Bays community for five generations. 

“Our deep roots here informed our decision to keep supporting a local cause that made the most sense for the good of the most people here,” says Bruce. “That cause is hospital care for everyone in and around Huntsville.”

“Huntsville Hospital can count on us every year, whether it’s  equipment purchases, Radiothon, special events, in memoriam donations, or all of the above,” adds Karen. “And this year we joined the Hospital’s Legacy Circle. Through bequests in our wills, the Hospital will receive much-needed funds and our family will receive a tax receipt to offset estate taxes. Modern health care requires constant upgrades: new digital tools, connectivity, scanners, even functional furniture – everything not funded by taxes. Our Legacy Gift ensures a future that includes updated hospital equipment.”

Over the last 10 years, Karen and Bruce have focused their giving on equipment that reflects change in the community. Their $115,000 in support to help Huntsville Hospital acquire bone densitometry technology is a great example. 

“That kind of informed giving reflects changing health care needs locally – with a densitometer, our hospital can be better prepared to serve an aging population,” says Bruce . 

“Continuity of giving, no matter what size the gift, helps an organization like Huntsville Hospital plan, thrive and grow,” concludes Karen . “That is why we give every year, and that is why we’ll give a final Legacy gift when we’re gone.”

John DiCesare remembers Lake Vernon from his youth at summer camps close by. Four years ago, he and wife Tracy, bought a cottage here with plans to turn it into their long-term retreat from the city. Having high-quality hospital care close by was part of the decision process. 

“There are no tribes in health care regardless of where you’re from,” says John. “So what better way to invest in this community than in our shared health and well-being.”

Entrepreneurs Tracy and John give and participate in fund-raising events for their hospital in Huntsville and for their hospital back home in the GTA. The beneficiaries of their philanthropy are connected:

“We see life as a symbiotic relationship – our success comes from others, and by understanding that, we have to put others first. The more you directly give, the more you indirectly get back.”

Gary Hollo was born in Hamilton, spent his work-life in Toronto and now resides in beautiful Katrine, Ontario just north of Huntsville. To say he knows a thing or two about fund-raising is an understatement.

“Whether it was raising money for our hospital in Mississauga or now with the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, I’ve learned that our healthcare system is for all – so it takes all of us in different ways to support it,” says Gary. “And the importance of that fact has never been greater than now.”

Gary, the Huntsville Downs Tournament committee and the Huntsville Downs ownership have come to together to raise over $143,000 since 2014 when the tournament started. And they’ll get back to work soon when COVID has hopefully run its course.

“You get to meet and work with great people on an event like this,” says Gary. “And we get to work with the amazing Foundation team who help us pull it all together. That’s a win-win for the entire community.”

Chantelle and Jason Armstrong both grew up in the Tri Towns area and moved to Huntsville with Jason’s first foray into automotive retail. Car dealerships were part of Jason’s DNA and landing in Huntsville was a blessing – they both loved living in a close-knit community. 

“We focus on teamwork at our dealerships,” says Chantelle. “We see local health care and Huntsville Hospital in the same spirit: a team effort from hospital care to community support; it takes all the parts working toward common goals to achieve success.”

Jason and Chantelle support the Business Cares program, and go above and beyond that, hosting events like the Foundation After Party which has raised over $240,000 since its inception.                   “A sustainable hospital strengthens our employees – their careers, raising families – it helps us be an employer of choice,” says Jason. “This community can count on us to continue our support for the hospital because this community continues to support us.”