NEWS RELEASES:

Saint John's Donates $10,000 to Quality of Life Fund
 

            Saint John’s Health System President Tom VanOsdol announced today that Saint John’s has made a $10,000 gift to the City of Anderson’s Economic Development Quality of Life Fund, becoming the first organization to make a contribution to the new fund.

            The Economic Development Quality of Life Fund was established by the City of Anderson in early 2009.  It was endowed initially with $200,000 earned from Madison County’s 1% Food and Beverage Tax. 

            Grants from the fund will be used for project-specific activities by Anderson not-for-profit organizations that support improving quality of life through health, entertainment, education and beautification.  A committee will evaluate and select recipients in an impartial, competitive process.

            VanOsdol made the announcement to an audience of 120 Anderson/Madison County non-profit leaders.  He said, “As Madison County’s largest employer, stewardship and leadership of the vitality of our community are among our top priorities at Saint John’s Health System.  Each year we operate our own sponsorship grant process and throughout the year we give gifts in support of numerous local organizations and initiatives. 

            “Recently, we had the privilege of giving a major gift to the historic Paramount Theatre for purchase of their heating and cooling system.  Our associates were the largest contributors to this year’s United Way campaign.  In these challenging economic times, it’s more important now than ever that we all pull together to support the base of essential services in our community.  And this is particularly true for our non-profit organizations that are such an integral part of the fabric of our community’s safety net, and contribute so much to both the basic needs and quality of life of so many in need in Anderson and Madison County.”

            VanOsdol continued, “Saint John Health System is more committed today than ever to supporting and leading our community, and our gift today to the City of Anderson’s Economic Development Quality of Life Fund is yet another clear signal of our commitment.  For this reason, in addition to giving our own gift, we are issuing a challenge today to all other businesses to give whatever they can in support of the Economic Development Quality of Life fund.”

            Saint John’s is a ministry of St.Vincent Health.  All St.Vincent Health ministries support their local communities through collaborative partnerships and stewardship.  “We are fortunate to be a member of Indiana’s largest health care network, St.Vincent Health,” VanOsdol said.  “This affiliation provides us with resources that benefit the communities we serve.”

            Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon accepted the check, saying “Thank you to Saint John’s Health System on behalf of the citizens of Anderson.  It is inspiring that Saint John’s has the vision and community commitment to support the development of this new fund and to challenge business peers to follow their example.  As Anderson’s largest employer, Saint John’s is a model corporate citizen.

            “When the creation of the Economic Development Quality of Life fund was announced, the interest from the not-for-profit community was tremendous,” Ockomon continued.  “One of our strengths as a community is our talented, professional, innovative not-for-profit community-- filled with activists who strive daily to improve the quality of life for Anderson’s citizens.  This is a group of people who are accustomed to doing so much with limited financial resources; how fitting that the City should reinvest funds into the community through this not-for-profit network.”

            The Economic Development Quality of Life Fund is being managed by the Madison County Community Foundation. 

            Saint John’s actively looks for partnership opportunities with local businesses and non-profit organizations.  Saint John’s sponsorship grant process is open to all organizations.  This year’s deadline for organizations to submit requests for funding is being extended to Feb. 28.  For further information about this sponsorship grant process, contact Saint John’s Corporate Communications at 646-8290.

(Feb. 6, 2009)