There’s an easy way to help purchase patient beds and critically needed equipment at Niagara hospitals. And it won’t cost you any money.
Starting this Monday, each time someone makes a withdrawal from the drive-through PenFinancial ATM on Schmon Parkway (across from the Niagara Regional Headquarters entrance), PenFinancial Credit Union will donate funds towards urgently needed equipment at local hospitals.
The NHF is responsible for fundraising for all five of Niagara’s health facilities--located in St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, and Fort Erie.
“The government doesn’t pay for the equipment,” Niagara Hospital Foundation (NHF) director of communications Chris Green told ThoroldNews. “The hospital gives us a top 50 list of what they need and we choose capital items that we think will resonate with people.”
In addition to more patient beds, area hospitals are in dire need of lifesaving defibrillators. And unlike the small offsite types you see in public places like arenas, hospital defibrillators are much more sophisticated, and cost $25,000 each.
“This is the second time PenFinancial did this for us,” Green explained.
“They are one of our major sponsors. PenFinancial has been great to work with. They do a lot of great things for the community.”
Jody Vizza, director of brand development and her team at PenFinancial ran a similar donation campaign at the same ATM this past September, he added.
Their current campaign runs for the entire month of April.