About a hundred Allen County residents gathered at the new hospital site Monday afternoon to celebrate the beginning of its construction. It was an impressive ceremony, complete with celebratory music, glowing remarks, patriotic songs and solemn dedication to the building of a first class, up-to-the-minute, health care facility that will help everyone who takes advantage of its modernity live healthier, happier, more productive lives.
Make no mistake. A modern hospital is a critical component of the foundation of a modern community. Iola and Allen County will be stronger in every measurable way because its people were willing to make the very substantial investment required to build a new Allen County Hospital.
Monday’s ceremony was a beginning. There is still more to be done.
As Jim Gilpin, chairman of the capital campaign committee, explained: “There is $2 million in the project budget for equipment, but over $3.8 million more will be needed in the next few years to properly equip the new facility. In addition, an endowment target of $1 million has been set to be sure resources are available to meet future equipment and technology needs.”
Gilpin went on to say, “Our dream is that every family in the county will have an opportunity to help with a gift to equip or endow the new hospital.
“Sixty years ago, when the present hospital was built, individuals, businesses and families from all over the county donated to equip the structure at that time. Regardless of the size of the gift, it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enhance an institution that is an essential part of the life of our county.”
On the back of the ceremony’s program was a list of all of the ways Allen Countians can make a gift to the hospital-to-be.
Sixty years ago, the Scott family chose to furnish a hospital room and dedicated the gift to the memory of Charles F. Scott, who became publisher of the weekly Register in 1882. An engraved bronze plate on the door of the room made note of the fact.
Perhaps similar naming opportunities have been made in the current capital campaign. Whatever the method chosen, there will be a way for gifts to be permanently recognized; for today’s Allen County families to be entered on the roll of those who made an investment in the future health and well being of the men, women and children of Allen County.
WISELY, the campaign planners understood flexibility is the key to their success. They encourage givers to make a pledge now that is redeemed with monthly payments over as long as 60 months; to name the hospital as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or an heir to an estate. Givers may decide to transfer stock they own that has appreciated, knowing they can take the full face value as a charitable deduction on their income tax return.
That’s just a start. There are about as many ways to make a contribution to the new Allen County Hospital as there are ways to transfer property. And, yes, benefactors may even decide to give plain, old cash.
The important thing is to give yourself and your family a piece of the action; establish ownership in what will be the most important new asset Iola and Allen County will create for themselves in the lifetimes of most of those who have labored at it. Make certain that you and your family are on the founding families list that goes into the cornerstone (literally or figuratively) when the doors first open a couple of years from now.
Don’t give until it hurts; give until it feels good. Then you’ll know you made the right decision.
— Emerson Lynn, jr.
