Over $3 million raised philanthropically
Citizens of Orange City, Alton, Granville, Hospers and neighboring communities stepped up to the plate for their seniors, pledging a total of $3,050,000 toward the new Orange City Area Health System Senior Care Facility that will be built on the north edge of Orange City. The “Fulfilling the Promise” capital campaign completes the necessary funding for the senior care facility/campus, slated to be open in the fall of 2013. Community members as well as health system employees contributed to exceeding the goal of $3 million in philanthropic support, with over $200,000 pledged by the health system’s 500 employees.
“I have had few professional experiences as rewarding as this Capital Campaign,” reports Dan McCarty, Orange City Area Health System COO and chair of the campaign. “The support we received from our OCAHS employees and the area residents was both humbling and motivational. With the support of a great steering committee and the Good Lord we were able to achieve a nearly miraculous accomplishment. Many thanks to all.”
The new senior care facility, which will be a replacement for Orange City’s two existing nursing homes and will feature a “village” atmosphere, all private rooms, and many “livable” amenities, has a total price tag of $18.5 million. Funding is in place and consists of the $3 million in capital campaign pledges, $6 million borrowed from three local banks, nearly $1 million from the cities of Orange City and Alton, and $8.5 million from Orange City Area Health System operating reserves.
The capital campaign was chaired by McCarty along with Orange City Area Health System CEO Marty Guthmiller and Vogel Paint Corporation President & CEO Drew Vogel. The steering committee includes Tom Kiernan, Jim Plagge, Doug Schuller, Paul Van Engelenhoven, Leroy Van Kekerix, Julie Henrich, Steve Christensen, Dave and Sandy Harmelink, and Mary Kepp. Honorary chairs are John and Ann Den Hartog, Dr. Ed and Lynne Grossmann, and Frank and Lois Vogel.
“From personal experience, I can say that this new senior care facility will make a great completion to the health system campus and services,” said Frank Vogel. “We are now going to have a facility that will measure up to the outstanding quality of the nursing home staff and caregivers.”
Guthmiller says, “I would certainly add my gratitude to those who contributed to this campaign, as well as to the Campaign Committee for their leadership. We are eager to get started.”
The new senior care facility is in the construction administration phase, with expected groundbreaking and construction commencing in April this year.
Vogel added, “I want to thank Dan and Marty for their leadership in this campaign, and for all the OCAHS staff and people of the community who helped make this happen.”