We’re told ticket sales for the Lions sponsored Kipling Dinner Theatre have stalled, perhaps because people think that supporting the fund to build the Kipling Medical Clinic is unnecessary, since after all, it now exists. That is not exactly the case. Of the $200,000 target set for donations, only about $140,000 has been received to date (see chart on page 10). The balance was “borrowed” from reserves earmarked for what is hoped will be the next step - a new integrated facility. It is now a matter of replenishing those reserves.

Health Foundation secretary Lorne Rygh provides us with some clarification on the status of the various health care-related fundraising efforts:

While the drive to raise funds continues and does approach the target $200,000 the Foundation would like to draw to the attention of residents that effort continues to be made to convince the Provincial Government to quickly approve the next phase of development, that being the integrated health care facility of 32 long term care beds, two respite beds and 12 acute care beds.

The Medical Clinic was completed by dipping deeper than was planned into the Health Foundation reserves being established for the purpose of building new health facilities in Kipling. This reserve fund is being built by participating municipal and town administrations through tax levies over a period of years. This fund has been created to assist the construction of new facilities and is not at this time considered to be the sole source of required funds.

(In this way) the Medical Clinic was 100% community funded. The Integrated Health Facility will qualify for Provincial funding but the community will be expected to contribute in excess of $2 million and, if the community values the proximity of health care facilities in their own area, there are few options as to where the necessary funds come from.

Various groups and organizations generously give of their time and effort to support the drive to raise health care dollars. We must be just as supportive in participating in the functions these organizations plan as fund raisers.