Fund Drive to Aid SVHC in Campus Project Enters Final Week

BENNINGTON, VT—February 19, 2021—On February 1, two community members set out to raise $500,000 in support for Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) project to reimagine the former Southern Vermont College campus by February 28. They called it The Grateful Bennington Fund.  

“We started The Grateful Bennington Fund as a show of support and appreciation for SVHC’s good works in our community,” stated David Newell, whose idea sparked the concept.

“We are one week from the end of the time we have to get this done,” said Michael McKenna, the fund drive’s co-organizer. “While we have received so many wonderful notes and a lot of support, we still have a way to go.”

The fundraiser has collected $216,009 in funds and pledges from more than 150 donors so far. The group is grateful for each and every gift they have received, ranging from $5 to $50,000, with an average donation of $250.

“While we certainly appreciate the large gifts, smaller gifts are really special,” added David Newell. “They give us the sense that the support for the project is widespread among people of all backgrounds. This isn’t a project just for those with means. It’s for everybody, and it feels amazing to see support like that.”

Newell and McKenna see the campus project as a part of a long line of projects SVHC has undertaken to help improve the health and vitality of the Bennington Community. Along with the Putnam Block redevelopment, the SVC campus project is expected to help revitalize the socio-economic culture of the town.

“We were relieved that SVHC had purchased the campus and heard that so many of our friends and neighbors were too,” McKenna said. “It seemed like it was time to channel those feelings into a big show of support from the community.”

“We hope the entire community will get behind this fund and help us achieve our goal of raising $500,000 by February 28^th,” stated Newell.

People interested in making a gift to the campaign or in learning more should visit svhealthcare.org/thegratefulbenningtonfund. Donations will be accepted online, by mail at SVHC Foundation, 100 Hospital Drive, Bennington, VT., 05201, and by phone at 802-447-5017 until February 28.

About:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It ranked forth nationwide for the value of care it provides by the Lown Institute Hospital Index. It is a four-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. It has also received the highest marks possible from The Joint Commission, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Leapfrog Group. 

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.