Largest Individual Donation Ever Given to Huntsville Hospital Foundation

Rob Payne, Chair of the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Foundation (HDMHF) Board of Directors, is pleased to announce that on December 18, 2009 the Foundation received a donation of securities with a value of over $1.48 million.

This amazing gift was given by the estate of Campbell Fox, a gentleman who lived with his wife Mary, for many years at Walker's Lake, about 15 minutes east of Huntsville.  The gift will be recognized in the future in an appropriate way at Huntsville Hospital.  In his will, Mr.  Fox expressed a desire to support the purchase of new equipment for the diagnostic imaging department and in particular for new CT equipment.

The actual donation was made by transferring shares in companies that trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange.  The Foundation has been the beneficiary of many such gifts, however, this is the largest single gift from an individual ever received by this organization in its 25 year history.

Mr.  & Mrs.  Fox first became donors to the Foundation in 1989.  They were frequent and generous donors who appreciated the care they had each received from the doctors and nurses at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital.  Over the years they commented how grateful they were for the health services they received in particular from Dr.  Morison, Dr.  Kirkpatrick and Dr.  Drohomyrecky. 

Approximately seven years ago, Mr.  Fox visited a member of the Foundation Board and told him that he intended to leave the majority of his estate to the hospital.  At that time he thought the gift would be approximately $1 million.  Two years ago, Mary Fox passed away.  Mr.  Fox was devastated by the loss of his wife.  He again reiterated his intention to make a bequest for their hospital. 

Over the years, Mr.  Fox hosted Foundation visitors and the Foundation welcomed him to visit many times.  His gift was talked about in an open way and in fact it was suggested that if he made a major donation before they died, he and Mary would have the benefit of seeing what their generosity could do.   But Mr.  Fox was adamant, even after Mary died, that he would be able to invest and grow the money to be more.  He was right; and the gift he and Mary have given to their hospital is the largest in its history.

Huntsville lawyer, David Currie was the executor of the Fox estate.  The Foundation wishes to acknowledge the work of Mr.  Currie, as well as all his legal colleagues who help guide their clients in their desires to leave bequests to their favourite charities.  Making sure a will states the clear intentions of an individual is paramount when making a bequest donation.  In the case of the Fox estate, Mr.  and Mrs.  Fox were very clear in their wishes and Mr.  Currie worked very hard to make their dreams come true for their hospital.

The Foundation and Huntsville Hospital are very grateful for the generous help of people like Mary and Campbell Fox.  Not everyone will be able to give as much as the Fox's, however, we ask everyone to consider how they can help.   Talking with a lawyer and a tax advisor, then sharing your dreams and decisions with family members is the best way to determine how best to make a difference.

Foundation Chair Rob Payne wrapped up his comments by saying, "I for one was astounded when I heard about this wonderful donation.  Imagine being able to give so much to the one place in this town that cares for the health of everyone.  I am not able to give that much, but you can bet I give because I believe in our hospital too."

"Thank you Mary and Campbell Fox, thank you David Currie, thank you to all the Foundation board and staff members,  and thank you to the doctors, nurses and every other person who works for Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare.  We have a wonderful partnership going here.  Let's keep working for the very best health care for us all."

The Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Foundation supports capital equipment needs for  Huntsville District Memorial Hospital.  To learn more about the Foundation, visit www.hdmhfoundation.ca.

For more information, contact

Debi Davis, Executive Director

Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Foundation

(705) 789-2311  Ext. 2492     debi.davis@mahc.ca