Rome Memorial Hospital Foundation Initiates First Annual

Year-End Giving Program

ROME –The Rome Memorial Hospital Foundation is initiating its first annual year-end giving program, announced Board President William F. Tracy.

“The reasons to give are many. Our community needs and deserves quality healthcare.  And, there are so many ways to give,” he said.  “Giving at year’s end is an effective way to make a charitable gift and to receive a significant tax advantage.  It’s a win-win situation for many people,” he added.

When the hospital made expansion of its new 10,500-square foot Emergency Department the top priority, said Tracy, the Foundation board created the case for support and brought that story to the attention of committed and caring individuals, business executives, political leaders and organization heads.  More than $3.1 million was raised to launch the project.

“Tax laws intentionally encourage charitable giving,” said Tracy.  “Because of the income tax charitable deduction, individuals who make gifts on or before December 31 and who itemize can significantly reduce their income tax liability for 2006.”

According to Executive Director Kerr Flanders, the Foundation’s mission is to secure the support needed to benefit the long-term development of Rome Memorial Hospital.  “Contributions to the Foundation are “magic money” because they are used to make many wonderful and important things happen to enhance the healthcare provided to all citizens in our community,” she said.

Flanders said that donations to the Foundation strengthen the delivery of high quality patient care, help introduce new technologies, treatments and preventative programs, help in physician and staff recruitment and aid in the promotion of health and wellness activities.

To help further their mission and the inaugural annual giving program, Flanders said that the Foundation has created the “Friends of RMH.”  Individuals who make a gift to the Foundation of $100 or more receive “Friends of RMH” recognition.  “Gifts to the ‘Friends’ may honor family members and friends or celebrate a doctor or nurse who provided excellent care,” said Flanders. “Your gift may also pay tribute to a deceased loved one,” she added.

“Friends of RMH” receive BENEFACTOR, the Foundation’s newsletter; are recognized on the Foundation’s page of the Hospital website; and are listed on a banner that will be hung in a prominent spot within the hospital, she said.

The Flandrau Society – named in honor and memory of Rome Memorial Hospital’s founding physician – offers an opportunity to those individuals who wish to make an annual leadership gift of $1,000 or more, said Flanders.  “Flandrau Society members will be invited to an annual recognition breakfast, receive notices of medical screenings and educational programs, and be presented with a lapel pin designed especially for Society members,” she said.

The Foundation is governed by 12 dedicated members of our community, said Tracy.  “Together with Rome Memorial Hospital’s administrators and the hospital’s Board of Directors, we work to fulfill the most significant healthcare priorities for the organization and the community,” he said.

“For most people, making a gift means much more than realizing a charitable deduction,” said Tracy.  “True philanthropy makes a significant and permanent difference in the lives of people.”

If interested in giving to the Foundation’s year-end giving campaign, contact Executive Director Kerr Flanders at (315) 337-5162 or kflanders@romehospital.org.