Collingwood General and Marine Hospital’s Giving Circle raised $102,726 at its annual meeting this fall to fund four clinical and community initiatives. The group comprises about 80–100 members who typically contribute $1,000 each (annual gifts can range from $500–$5,000); 79 women were reported to have attended the Sept. 30 annual meeting. Members hear project pitches from hospital staff and vote to prioritize funding, ensuring local donations target pressing needs at the hospital in Collingwood, ON.
The funds will purchase an OMNI hysteroscope set — a modular ‘see-and-treat’ hysteroscope that allows diagnosis and, where appropriate, treatment of uterine conditions in a single visit, helping to reduce wait times and surgical backlog. Upgraded DXA reporting software (DXA Encode) will streamline bone mineral density reporting and speed osteoporosis assessment, while specialized cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) training for psychosis will equip local staff with evidence-based techniques that may reduce the need to transfer patients to larger centres for specialized care.
A new Mindful Meals pilot will establish a food pantry in the Mental Health building to provide nutritious meals to outpatients, supporting recovery and treatment adherence. Members of the Collingwood G&M Hospital Foundation Giving Circle reviewed each proposal at the annual meeting before voting to make sure the money delivers measurable patient benefits.
This year’s total marks the first time the Giving Circle has surpassed $100,000, reflecting growing community support for bridge funding that isn’t covered by provincial budgets. The initiative runs alongside the “Tomorrow’s Hospital” campaign, helping to keep current facilities state-of-the-art as the long-term expansion moves ahead.
