Earlier this summer, the Rotary Club of Cobourg achieved a financial milestone in its philanthropic efforts, reaching $1 million in support to Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) Foundation.
Representatives from both the Hospital and Foundation joined the Club’s August 8 meeting to celebrate this achievement and review the moments and contributions between 1989 and 2025 that culminated in this incredible total.
Addressing the room, Rotary Club of Cobourg President Gord Ley acknowledged this accomplishment and the years of dedicated Rotarians and past presidents who made this possible.
“My President’s theme for this year is ‘Honour Legacy, Inspire Innovation and Walk Together,’”
shared Ley.
“Our celebration of this $1 million commitment to our hospital not only honours our legacy of giving, but also reflects how we are walking together with our community, whose ongoing support of our three major fundraisers makes achievements like this possible.”
Following President Gord’s remarks, Foundation CEO, Rhonda Cunningham, then led a presentation themed as ‘a walk down memory lane’, detailing the seven significant gifts made to the Hospital by the Club since 1989. What started with a gift of $13,500 in 1989 has since grown to include numerous contributions over these years including $500,000 to the building of the new hospital in 2000 and $300,000 to the ‘Equipped to Care’ campaign in 2016. On the evening of the summer solstice 2025, the Club made their latest $75,000 commitment, bringing the grand total of their support to over $1 million.
When touching on the Club’s most significant commitment, which helped bring the vision of NHH to life, Cunningham recounted, “In 2000, six figure gifts were not known in this area. It was quite rare, but the Rotary Club of Cobourg’s commitment of a half-million dollars early in our campaign to build our new hospital raised the bar and really set the volunteer campaign team on its way.”
She went on to detail the support Cobourg Rotarians have shown beyond financial support, highlighting the leadership and volunteer hours extended to the Hospital and Foundation by many past and present Board and Committee members.
“I think I would be hard pressed to walk around this room and not find at least one person at every table that hasn’t had a connection to serving the Hospital is some capacity,” Cunningham shared.
“In addition, to your financial support, I want to thank you – every one of you – past and current – who has had the heart to serve. That leadership is just as critical as dollars raised and we are grateful. Thank you.”
With the latest pledge made in support of Diagnostic Imaging, and in particular, to help fund the replacement of the Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, Cunningham went on to introduce MRI Charge Technologist, Pamela Knott, who shared details of the project and a heartfelt thank you to the Club for their support.
“Together, we’re ensuring that cutting-edge technology goes hand-in-hand with the compassionate care our patients deserve,” Knott shared. “Thank you, for believing in the future of healthcare in Northumberland.”
Returning to the podium with closing remarks, Cunningham acknowledged the overall impact community support makes at NHH and the work the hospital team is doing to advance their Shared Purpose, ‘People First.’
Susan Walsh, NHH President and CEO, was also in the room and with a nod to Walsh and her leadership team, Cunningham shared, “The hospital has a vision for the future of healthcare in west Northumberland and Susan, along with her team, are working to advance this important mission.
Community generosity – like this Club’s ongoing support – helps to bring this vision to life.”
For more information on ways to support NHH Foundation and the difference community donations make at NHH, please visit www.NHHFoundation.ca.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
