Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2018

Generosity and surgical care Festival Gala record of nearly $123,000 in cash donations. In total, the Saturday evening event alone raised over $247,000. “We are so grateful for the community’s overwhelming support of the Festival of Trees, year after year,” said Peter Wagstaff, chair of the Kootenai Health Foundation Board of Directors. “This event, our largest fundraiser of the year, is crucial in Kootenai Health’s ability to continue to improve patient care in our community.” Improving patient care Event proceeds will support the new and expanded state- of-the-art operating rooms, emergency treatment rooms and other necessary upgrades that will allow the hospital to treat more patients with premier emergency and surgical care. The success of the 2017 Festival of Trees pushed the Kootenai Health Foundation closer to its current “Caring for Our Community” campaign goal of raising $12.5 million in private investments. To meet that goal, the Foundation needs to raise an additional $3.9 million by the end of 2018. Funds from the capital campaign will help Kootenai Health cover the $42.5 million in hospital improvements that directly benefit patient care. “Caring for our community is what Kootenai Health is all about,” said Julie Holt, president of the Kootenai Health Foundation. “By expanding facilities, updating equipment and technology, and adapting to changes in health care, Kootenai Health is making sure people in our community have local access to the health care services they need so they don’t have to travel elsewhere for that care.” The Festival of Trees is made up of several events over the course of Thanksgiving weekend, including Friday d’Lights, a brunch, gala, family day and two fashion shows. Pictured above are Paulette Fabian, Teri Farr, Debbie Michalak, CoyAnne Krysta, Sue Berg, Bobbi Bild, Suzy Jolley and Diane Lawrence. Santa andMrs. Claus (Ron and Joan Genter, at left) volunteer to visit with families during Friday d’Lights and Family. Here they are joined at the luncheon fashion show by Paul Laster and Kathy Sims. KH . ORG 21