Anonymous donor pledges $20 Million matching challenge in support of The Children’s Hospital Of Southwest Florida Capital Campaign
An anonymous donor has pledged to match $20 million in donations in support of The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida Capital Campaign, the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation announced Aug. 3. The donor has challenged the community of Southwest Florida to raise $20 million, which the donor has committed to match dollar for dollar for each contribution. The donor will match all Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida Capital Campaign contributions from May 16 of 2012 to May 16 of 2014. When fulfilled, the matching gift of $20 million will be the single largest philanthropic gift in Southwest Florida’s history.
“This truly remarkable gift is one that will rewrite the future for the children of Southwest Florida. The vision of building a world-class children’s hospital is now within reach,” says Sharon A. MacDonald, chief foundation officer for Lee Memorial Health System. “We hope the tremendous generosity of this pledge inspires the community to help build America’s newest children’s hospital.”
The capital campaign supports construction of a new state-of-the art, 128-bed (with expansion capabilities to 160 beds) comprehensive pediatric health care facility on the grounds of HealthPark Medical Center in South Fort Myers. The building will consolidate into one location the medical and ancillary specialty services required to treat critically ill or injured children in a five county region. The new facility is expected to open in 2016.
“This generous pledge puts us another step closer to making the new children’s hospital a reality.” says Jim Nathan, President of Lee Memorial Health System. “Even during these economically stressed times the demand for children’s services in our community has grown, and our current facilities are often at capacity. This impressive new building will expand our capabilities and keep children’s care close and their families as close to home as possible.”
All gifts to the Capital Campaign are eligible for the match and include but are not limited to estate gifts, multi-year pledges, corporate donations, grants, special event sponsorships and auction revenues.
The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is the only comprehensive children’s hospital between St. Petersburg and Miami and provides life-saving health care and treatment to children from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.
To make a gift or learn more about the many giving opportunities available, please contact the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation office at 239-343-6950 or visit www.ChildrensHospitalGoal.org.