Despite a nationwide postal strike, an annual holiday fundraising campaign has exceeded expectations by raising more than $150,000 to support Chatham-Kent’s hospital.
The 35th Annual Christmas Wish Tree campaign was held throughout the 2024 holiday season and encouraged community members to make donations in memory of loved ones, with tree lighting ceremonies held on December 11 and 12.
“These donations not only honor the memory of people who have meant so much to us, but they also play a crucial role in enhancing healthcare services across Chatham-Kent,” said Christine Mitchell, president and CEO of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation, in a news release
The campaign successfully raised $158,540, which will go towards essential equipment purchases, program innovation, and facility upgrades at the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
Mitchell said the nearly two-month=long strike by Canada Post workers hampered fundraising efforts early on in the Christmas Wish Tree campaign.
“We are so grateful to everyone who helped us overcome some unique challenges this year,” said Mitchell. “We want to thank The Chatham Voice, who helped us distribute our special Christmas Wish Tree cards throughout the community, as well as all the wonderful donors who called in, stopped by our office in person, or donated online. Your efforts made all the difference as we were still able to exceed our fundraising goal.”
In the current fiscal year alone, the foundation has raised and contributed nearly $1.4 million in funding to CKHA, which has supported the purchase of a new Fluoroscopy Machine, two Electrocardiogram Stress Testing Case Systems, a new automated Stroke Imaging System, a Bladder Scanner and more.
