The gifts keep coming

Individuals, organizations and businesses from local communities have shown overwhelming support for St. Joseph's Area Health Services $26 million building and renovation project.

The project will create a medical center to facilitate the needs of St. Joseph's and Dakota Clinic (Innovis Health as of Jan. 1, 2008) in close proximity of one another and to improve and expand services.

With the campaign still at full tilt, St. Joseph's is approaching the $2 million mark. Their goal is to raise $2.5 million locally.

"We are so fortunate to live in a community that values healthcare and really has demonstrated its commitment through generous contributions," says Cynthia Rooney, St. Joseph's Communication/Development Manager. "To say the support the public has shown has been overwhelming is an understatement," Rooney notes. "We certainly have been blessed with philanthropic tidings this past year as well as the many volunteers who are passionate about the people who live in our region and their well being."

While the campaign enjoys many successes, there is still work to be done to meet the projected goal of $2.5 million, Rooney adds and reminds anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation can do so before the year's end. The timing is also perfect for anyone who is 70 and a half years and older to qualify for the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

This law allows them to transfer up to $100,000 directly from an IRA to a charitable organization such as St. Joseph's. In doing so, they won't have to pay income tax on that distribution amount. The catch is that they have to transfer the donation directly from an IRA to the charity. (Donors may not take possession of the withdrawn funds and later make a gift to the charity to reap the tax-deductible benefits.)

The law will remain in effect until Dec. 31.

Please call Rooney at 218-237-5711 to make a tax-deductible donation or for more information.

Forty et Eight

The Forty Et Eight, Voiture #712 (Park Rapids unit), is a classic example of the generosity St. Joseph's has received.

They recently stepped forward with a $5,000 donation to benefit the building project.

The Forty Et Eight is an honor society (by invitation only) of the American Legionnaires committed to charitable causes. Its title reflects its First World War origins. American servicemen in France were transported to the battlefront in boxcars (or voitures) that were half the size of American boxcars. On each boxcar was stenciled the numbers "40/8," denoting its capacity to hold 40 men or eight horses.

The Park Rapids unit traditionally hosts fundraisers (monthly steak dinners) to help students with nursing training and scholarships. The Forty Et Eight started this particular mission in the 1950s when a shortage of Registered Nurses became evident. The men of Voiture #712 continue the practice today and annually award scholarships to nurses locally.

They were inspired to give extra money from their coffers this year to assist the St. Joseph's cause. They view the gift as an extension of their nurses training scholarship program and another way to "serve their fellow human beings," as written in their purpose statement.