St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation (SCGHF) Circa 2006 -2010

 

For a number of years this was the website for the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation (SCGHF), a non-profit, fund-raising organization.
Content is from the site's 2006 -2010 archived pages.

OneFoundation for Niagara Health System represents the next generation in fundraising for the Niagara area's hospital sites and those they serve. Go to: http://niagarahealthfoundation.com/, if you are interested in raising funds to support Niagara Health for the advancement of health care in Niagara.
The Foundation was created on January 1, 2014 after an amalgamation among the Douglas Memorial Hospital Foundation (Fort Erie), Greater Niagara General Hospital Foundation (Niagara Falls), Niagara Health System Foundation, Port Colborne Hospital Foundation, St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation and Welland Hospital Foundation.

 

142 Queenston Street,
St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7C6
Ph: 905-323-FUND(3863)
Fax: 905-684-3226
Charitable registration #:11925 7509 RR0001
Office Hours:
8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Monday to Friday

 

About the SCGH Foundation

The St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation (SCGHF) is a non-profit, fund-raising organization that supports the St. Catharines General Hospital site of the Niagara Health System in securing innovative health care equipment and state-of-the-art technology in modern facilities.

Our Foundation incorporated in 1976 as a separate legal entity and active since 1986, is governed by a nineteen member volunteer board. Our articles of incorporation state that our fundraising activities apply to “the advancement of health education, medical and health research and the improvement of patient care for the St. Catharines General Hospital.

Over the years, The Foundation has led many highly successful fundraising initiatives in the community. These efforts, combined with overwhelming generosity from thousands of donors, have enabled The St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation to purchase many urgently needed patient care equipment items for the St. Catharines General Site of the Niagara Health System.

In 2007, The St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation transferred $3.3 million to the NHS for the purchase of urgently needed patient care equipment. Today, equipment totaling over $3.6 Million is required for the St. Catharines General Hospital and the Ontario Street sites.

 

While we are pleased that plans for the new healthcare facility continue to move forward, it is important to note that while the new facility is forthcoming, the patients are here, their conditions are real and their needs are urgent. Any and all equipment purchased today, can and will be moved to the new healthcare facility.

With your help we will be able to provide our dedicated teams of healthcare professionals with the state-of the-art equipment we all deserve.

 

+++

 

Our Mission

The St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation is a non-profit, fundraising organization that supports the St. Catharines General Hospital site of the Niagara Health System in securing innovative health care equipment and state-of-the-art technology in modern facilities.

 

Our Donor Bill of Rights
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good.  It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life.  To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

  • To be informed of the SCGHF mission, of the way SCGHF intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
  • To be informed of the identity of those serving on the SCGHF governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
  • To have access to the SCGHF most recent financial statements.
  • To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
  • To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
  • To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by the law.
  • To expect that all relationships with inpiduals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
  • To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, empoyess of SCGHF or hired consultants.
  • To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that SCGHF may intend to share.
  • To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

Developed By: Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP),
Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP)

As members of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) we believe that ethical standards and principles are the foundation for maintaining public trust.  The foundation of philanthropy is ethical fundraising, and a key mission of AFP is to advance and foster the highest ethical standards through its Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice.

 

Our Stories 2010

The St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation is proud to feature just a few of the many wonderful donors, volunteers and friends that support our fundraising initiatives.

NEW WHEELS FOR ONCOLOGY

Thanks to the generous donations made in memory of the late Jacquelin Cavasin, three new wheelchairs were purchased for current and future patients of the Outpatient Oncology Clinic. Equipped with oxygen tank holders, foot rests and comfortable padded seats, these wheelchairs will offer comfort to those seeking treatment.

We are truly grateful to the Cavasin family and friends for their generosity toward the St. Catharines General Hospital.

ROAST THE TURKEY HONOURS JOHN NEWBERRY

Over the 32 years of his teaching career with the Niagara Catholic School Board, John Newberry hosted an annual turkey dinner for his class. After being diagnosed with terminal lymphoma and leukemia three years ago; John and his family decided to host a fundraiser to support others fighting cancer. Hundreds of people attended the 1st Annual "Roast the Turkey" Event on November 13th, 2009 at Coppola’s Ristorante which featured music, silent auction and turkey dinner. An incredible $4,553 was raised for the Walker Family Cancer Centre.

We are deeply grateful to organizers Michelle, Ted, Dawn and John and look forward to another successful event in 2010.

BATMAN TO THE RESCUE

A big Thank You to MoonAtMidnight, the Batman apparel webstore, for helping us raise much needed funds for the new bone density scanner at the diagnostic center. The store donated a portion of the proceeds from the Batman T shirts, Batman sweatshirts and pullover Batman hoodies website that were purchased during the months of May and June. We are very aware of the global appeal of Batman t shirts and other Dark Knight gear, and it clearly works to our advantage. FYI, this is now my favorite Batman t shirt store. Keep an eye out for all the supporters who are now wearing Batman apparel and be sure to thank them for participating in our fundraising effort.

CLUB CAPRI DONATES TO URGENT NEEDS

Thank you to the members of Club Capri who made a generous $500 donation toward urgently needed equipment for the St. Catharines General Hospital. Since 1993, Club Capri has donated an incredible $11,000!

The St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation is extremely grateful to have their continued support.

 AN EVENING OF MAGIC

 Monica Gomis-Steele understands first hand the fear, confusion and heartache of having cancer touch your life.  Her best friend, soul mate and husband Glenn Steele passed away after courageously battling Multiple Myeloma - a type of blood cancer. Glenn required treatment from a Plasmapheresis machine that was only available in Hamilton; and travelling outside the city for treatment added additional burden to Glenn’s suffering. Realising the need for a Plasmapheresis machine in Niagara, it has become Monica’s quest to ensure that Niagara residences will not have to travel for treatment.

With help from Kathy Iftody, Monica organized a magical fundraiser that took place on August 28th and 29th. Danny Zzzz, Magician & Illusionist, donated proceeds from two of his Magic Hypnosis Shows in Niagara Falls to support the cause.

An incredible $23,265 was raised! Thank you for your dedication towards improving healthcare in Niagara.

 

Our Stories 2008

 

HOLIDAY CONCERT BRINGS HOPE

In December, the New Apostolic Church held their 2nd Annual Holiday Concert at Brock University.

Once again our friends from the New Apostolic Church directed proceeds from their 2nd Annual Holiday concert at the Sean O’Sullivan Hall at Brock University to the SCGHF in support of the new health-care complex. the New Apostolic Church Orchestra & Concert Choir consists of 45 instrumentalists and 90 vocalists. These talented musicians come from Kitchener, Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding communities.

The concert successfully raised over $2,500. We would like to thank the musicians and the members of the congregation who organized and participated in this annual event.

PERFORMANCE SAVES LIVES

Thank you to the Niagara Celebration Church who organized a highly successful Christmas performance with over $2,000 directed toward capital equipment at the SCGH.

DVDs FOR ONCOLOGY CLINIC

In October, Larry & June Zehr delivered 15 portable DVD Players and an assortment of DVDs for the outpatient oncology unit at the SCG site.  This donation was made in memory of June’s parents, Eva & George Jedicki.  The DVDs will help pass the time and provide hours of entertainment for oncology patients as receive treatment at the clinic.

GARY WATERS OPEN HOUSE

Our friends at Gary Waters hosted another successful Ladies Christmas Shopping Open House.  Proceeds totaling $1,900 were directed toward the Evangelista/Adams Cenpe for Breast Screening.  We are always grateful to be the recipient of this generous donation.  Paul DiFelice of Gary Waters Ltd. presents Ameer Wakil, of The SCGH Foundation Board of Directors, with the proceeds of the 2007 Christmas Shopping Open House.

MEMORIAL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

In May, the 3rd Annual Jeannette Giammarco Memorial Ball Tournament raised $2,000 for the Inpatient Oncology Unit. This successful event was organized by Laurie Melhus & Amy Giammarco, in memory of their mother and aunt, Jeannette. Thank you ladies for your continued effort to support the needs of the oncology unit.

NEW CHEMO CHAIR

We are pleased to acknowledge a recent donation from Eric Meth, which has been dedicated to the memory of his wife, Penny.  This generous donation has enabled the purchase of a Chemotherapy Chair for the Oncology Unit at the SCG.   A special thank you to the Meth family, whose support, will have a significant impact on our future patients.

 

 

Legacy Giving

Legacy Gifts to The St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation


What is Legacy Giving?
Legacy Giving is when a charitable gift is made in such a way that you maximize the tax and estate planning benefits.  It may be a “present gift” the charity can use now or a “deferred gift” available in the future, perhaps after your death.  Participating today with your legacy gift will leave a living legacy to help others.

How To Leave A Gift
Leave A Gift In Your Will
Fewer than 7% of all Canadians have included nonprofits in their estate plan.  Can you imagine the positive impact on our hospital if each of our donors also left a bequest in their will?

Purchase A New Life Insurance Policy
You can name The St. Catharines General Hospital as the owner and beneficiary to your life insurance policy.  For just a small monthly premium you can make a substantial gift to the Foundation.  Because premiums are far less that the eventual gift this is an excellent way of making a significant gift.  You will receive a tax receipt annually for the premiums paid on the policy.  If you choose to make St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation the owner of an existing policy, you will receive tax receipts for the cash surrender value of the policy and for subsequent premium payments.

A Charitable Remainder Trust
This enables you to make a sizeable commitment to the Foundation while maintaining the income benefit of your assets for the duration of your life.  Assets placed in the trust can include: cash, stocks, bonds, securities and other investments.  You will receive a tax receipt for a portion of the value of the assets which is calculated using your life expectancy and prevailing interest rates at the time the trust is established.

Donating Public Shares

Our government is now realizing that the turning of our nation’s economic wheel is fueled by both personal and corporate donations.  The evidence is in the more liberal changes in the tax act, specifically, regarding the donation of public company shares to qualifying foundations.
 
Prior to the budget of May 2, 2006 when a share was donated it triggered a capital gains tax that had to be paid by the donor which, in effect, reduced the net benefit of making the gift. 

 

 

More Background On SCGHFoundation.com

 

SCGHFoundation.com was the central online portal for the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation (SCGHF), a highly impactful non-profit fundraising organization serving St. Catharines and the broader Niagara region in Ontario, Canada. The foundation’s mission was the advancement of healthcare at the St. Catharines General Hospital, including acquiring cutting-edge equipment, driving community fundraising, supporting medical research, and enabling better patient outcomes for thousands of residents. This article provides a detailed, standalone exploration of the organization’s background, transformation, public profile, and lasting influence, ensuring all content is derived from substantial sources without references to any external files.

Background and Foundation Structure

The St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation began as an incorporated legal entity in 1976 and became active by 1986, governed by a capable volunteer board of nineteen members. Its organizational mandate centered on health education, funding medical and health research, and the purchase of urgently needed patient care equipment for St. Catharines General Hospital, a vital healthcare facility for the Niagara region.

Through the late 2000s, especially between 2006 to 2010, the foundation was a central force in rallying local philanthropy, business support, and individual donations to deliver life-changing medical resources. Board leadership practiced strict stewardship, transparent reporting, and ongoing engagement with the community, instilling public trust in the foundation’s ability to use all donated resources effectively and ethically.

Amalgamation and Expansion

In response to regional healthcare needs and evolving hospital infrastructure, the SCGHF and parallel hospital foundations in Niagara—including Douglas Memorial, Greater Niagara General, Port Colborne, Welland, and the Niagara Health System Foundation—amalgamated in 2014. This merger initiated the OneFoundation for Niagara Health System, later known simply as the Niagara Health Foundation, combining expertise, donor networks, and resources to benefit the entire regional hospital system.

This unification brought administrative efficiency, centralized fundraising campaigns, and greater purchasing power, enabling the network to fund equipment for several hospital sites, from emergency rooms to specialized cancer centers. The unified foundation ultimately serves a community of nearly half a million residents, and the consolidation has been praised for increasing healthcare equity and impact throughout Niagara.

Core Mission and Values

SCGHF was committed to securing state-of-the-art healthcare technology, advancing health education, and supporting research in a modern, patient-focused environment. The foundation’s donor code aligned with leading philanthropic guidelines developed by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. Donors were promised transparency on the use of funds, assurance of stewardship, access to recent financial statements, recognition, and the right to privacy regarding donations.

Volunteer and board governance emphasized prudent judgment and professional relationships, ensuring that every fundraising initiative was operated with integrity, expertise, and respect. Donors enjoyed professional engagement regardless of whether they interacted with volunteers or paid staff, and the foundation provided multiple opportunities for donors to customize their charitable involvement.

Equipment, Facility, and Patient Care Impact

SCGHF directly contributed millions of dollars toward medical equipment and hospital improvements. Notable achievements include:

  • The transfer of $3.3 million to the Niagara Health System for urgently needed patient equipment in 2007.

  • Ongoing projects requiring more than $3.6 million in equipment for the St. Catharines General Hospital site and contiguous Ontario Street sites.

  • A policy ensuring that all purchased medical equipment would be transferable to new or future healthcare facilities, maximizing investment and long-term value for patients.

Such investments enabled the hospital to acquire life-saving technologies such as chemotherapy chairs, bone density scanners, and specialized wheelchairs for the outpatient oncology clinic—each funded through targeted campaigns and donor support.

Fundraising Initiatives and Community Engagement

SCGHF became known for its dynamic and heartfelt fundraising campaigns. The organization collaborated with schools, churches, businesses, and civic groups to stage impactful events. Examples include:

  • Annual turkey dinners and “Roast the Turkey” events hosted by educators, raising thousands for the Walker Family Cancer Centre.

  • Local webstores selling themed apparel to support diagnostic technology, illustrating the diversity of fundraising partners and creative engagement.

  • Charity concerts at Brock University with large orchestras and choirs donating proceeds, fostering community excitement and cultural appreciation while aiding hospital expansion.

  • Community sports tournaments dedicated to cancer research and inpatient oncology, mobilizing hundreds of participants each year.

Each initiative showcased the region’s generosity, with many campaigns built as memorials to loved ones or in recognition of survivors and medical staff.

Legacy and Planned Giving

SCGHF supported legacy giving, emphasizing the importance and practical benefits of including charitable donations in estate planning. Donors were educated on several legacy-creation vehicles, including:

  • Bequests in wills, encouraging supporters to make a lasting impact through planned estate gifts.

  • Life insurance policies assigned to the foundation, enabling substantial future gifts for a modest monthly premium.

  • Charitable remainder trusts, allowing donors to receive financial benefits while supporting the hospital.

  • Donations of public company shares, with guidance on changes to Canadian tax law that allowed more generous deductions for stock gifts to qualifying foundations.

Legacy initiatives helped secure the foundation’s impact for generations and reinforced a culture of civic responsibility and philanthropy in Niagara.

Community Profile and Public Recognition

SCGHF earned formal and informal recognition, with local media reporting on donation milestones, successful fundraising events, and heartwarming donor stories. The foundation created award categories for outstanding volunteers and partners, spotlighted inspirational fundraising leaders, and enjoyed positive coverage in regional and healthcare industry newsletters.

Not only did SCGHF attract business donations and sponsorships—from restaurants to retail stores—it also became a civic cultural hub. Through annual concerts, shopping events, and holiday performances, the foundation connected arts, recreation, and charity in a way that resonated with local families, faith groups, and small businesses.

Audience and Cultural Significance

The foundation’s primary audience encompassed medical professionals, business owners, civic organizations, individual donors, hospital patients and their families, and the broader population touched by Niagara Health sites. SCGHF became known for:

  • Delivering measurable results in patient care and hospital infrastructure.

  • Providing transparent, ethical stewardship of donated resources.

  • Fostering an inclusive, participatory culture of philanthropy, with recognition for every size of donation.

  • Elevating local pride in Niagara’s hospitals by showcasing donor stories and honoring memorial legacies.

The organization’s active presence in the community and ability to mobilize support for life-changing medical needs demonstrated the deep societal value of local fundraising foundations.

Governance, Financials, and Transparency

SCGHF was guided by strong governance and financial regulations, with routine independent audits supporting accountability. Board meetings were open and accessible; annual reports covered financial statements, fundraising targets, expenditures, and impact assessments. Community stakeholders were encouraged to ask questions about operational details, with responsive outreach ensuring continual engagement and feedback.

The unified Niagara Health Foundation continues this tradition, providing rigorous reporting and donor communications in compliance with Canadian charitable regulations.

Ongoing Legacy

Although the original SCGHFoundation.com platform has since been retired and its functions integrated into the Niagara Health Foundation, its legacy endures in the hospital’s upgraded facilities, ongoing equipment acquisition, and continued community engagement. Memorial gifts, donor-driven projects, and family campaigns remain central to the hospital’s advancement, ensuring the spirit and impact of SCGHF continue to benefit Niagara residents today.

Key Details, Insights, and Examples

  • Office location and accessibility fostered a welcoming environment for donors and volunteers.

  • A strong “Donor Bill of Rights” built lasting trust between the foundation and the public.

  • Annual events, memorial tournaments, and concerts became signature cultural markers, connecting healthcare with broader community life.

  • Equipment purchased with donor funds was optimized for transfer to new hospital facilities, demonstrating civic foresight and resource efficiency.

  • Initiatives in planned giving expanded the organization’s funding base and sustained its programs.

 

SCGHFoundation.com and the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation fundamentally shaped healthcare fundraising and delivery in Niagara. By uniting the ambitions and talents of local donors, businesses, and hospital professionals, the foundation advanced patient care, promoted health equity, and encouraged a culture of generosity rooted in ethical stewardship. Its story is a compelling testament to the power of community-driven healthcare philanthropy, and its impact continues through the Niagara Health Foundation’s continuing work with hospitals, volunteers, and partners across the region.

 

 

SCGHFoundation.com