Hospital employees donate over $6,000 toward school doors.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital has donated $6,215.25 towards the Mason County adopt-a-door fund, which is purchasing devices that secure door thresholds in all county schools.

Today’s donation is the second highest single entity donation the campaign has received since it began in October 2015. The highest was $7,200 from the Mason County Youth Advisory Council. Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, who is chairing the fundraising, said today’s donation brings the total amount raised to over $122,000, which means that 530 out of 596 doors have been funded. Each door costs about $230 for purchase of The Boot device along with installation. Total cost of the campaign is about $180,000. The hospital’s donation will purchase 27 Boots.

The combined donation was presented Friday afternoon to Sheriff Cole in the hospital’s main lobby. Participating employees joined hospital president Mark Vipperman for the presentation.

The money was raised through employees participating in “dress down day” throughout January. By donating to an employee-selected charity each Friday, employees can “dress down” in casual clothes. Appropriate clinical clothing is maintained in patient treatment areas. In addition to the five casual dress days during the month, departments also organized supplemental fund drives.

“Once again the generosity and involvement of our employees is a source of pride for the community and the Spectrum Health System,” Vipperman said. “In addition to our employees, I also want to compliment Sheriff Cole and the Mason County School Safety Planning Committee for their leadership in providing this important measure of security for all the students and staffs of our local schools.”

“This amount certainly is greatly appreciated,” Sheriff Cole said. “It speaks volumes to the quality of citizens and businesses we have have here in Mason County.”

Those wishing to donate, may write a check to the Friends of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, c/o Community Foundation for Mason County, PO Box 10, Ludington, MI 49431. Note in the memo line: Adopt A Door.