Annual Report 2021
YHF’s Commitment to Healthcare Community Fund and the Healthcare Enhancement Endowment (HEE)
The transformational gift of $22 million from an anonymous donor that Yarmouth Hospital Foundation received came with instructions to support health care initiatives across the area served by Yarmouth Regional Hospital — Digby, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties, not just within the hospital. To oversee this work, the foundation board created the Healthcare Enhancement Endowment (HEE), and adopted a policy to invest 15% of its projected annual investment earnings from the HEE (approximately $150,000) toward community initiatives that align with the existing mission and goals of Yarmouth Hospital Foundation.
“Funding has been made possible by the overwhelming generosity of an anonymous donor, and we have been able to build on that,” explains Melanie Kenney, HEE committee chair. The committee developed eligibility criteria for the Commitment to Healthcare Community Fund, along with a process for reviewing, ranking and selecting from the many applications received from across the Tri-County area.
“Born and raised in this community, I was absolutely inspired and uplifted to learn about new and existing initiatives in our area and the community support behind them,” Melanie said. “There’s nothing better than when you can give back to the community and enable other people to keep giving.”
2021’s Commitment to Healthcare Community Fund Grant Recipients
Bay Side Home (Barrington): Two Hippocampe all-terrain chairs to take residents outside of the home to areas of the community, such as beaches and trails, that lack wheelchair accessibility.
Children’s Aid Foundation of NS: Health & Well-Being Fund exclusively for underserved, at risk and vulnerable children and former youth in care, ages 0-24, in the Tri-Counties.
Digby & Area Health Services Charitable Foundation: Infant scale and baby warmer for Digby General Hospital.
Le Transport de Clare Society: Transportation to and from hospital for medical appointments such as dialysis for lower-income residents of Digby County.
Roseway Hospital Foundation (Shelburne): Contribution to the purchase of a digital x-ray machine for Roseway Hospital.
Villa Saint Joseph du Lac (Dayton): Therapeutic sensory room for long-term care residents.
VON Tri-County: Expansion of the Meals on Wheels program from Shelburne to Cape Sable Island.
Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce: Furnishings for the Credit Union Place medical student and locum units on Vancouver Street.
Yarmouth County Ground Search and Rescue Team: Standard first aid with CPR and AED training for 35 members this year and 15 additional members each year for the next three years.
Yarmouth County Splash Park: Community initiative designed to provide opportunities for active, healthy living and to increase inclusion and access to recreation for those who face constraints to participation.
Yarmouth County Hospice Society: Oximeters for VON nurses who provide quality care for end-of-life patients who wish to remain at home.
