Hospital volunteers donate $50,000 towards Family Birthing Center.

Hospital volunteers donate $50,000 towards Family Birthing Center.

LUDINGTON — The volunteers of Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital set a daunting task in 2014 when they decided to help the hospital update its Family Birthing Center.  The group adopted its biggest fundraising challenge—promising to raise $150,000 over five years.

This week Janet Baxter, volunteer board president, presented the group’s  check for $50,000 to the hospital and its foundation, pushing their total for the project to $75,000. Symbolically, the donation was made during national Volunteer Appreciation Week. Accepting the donation were Helen Johnson, chief nursing officer, and Kaley Petersen, foundation and community services director.

Petersen expressed her appreciation, saying, “The volunteers have a long history of philanthropy but to date this $150,000 pledge is their largest and most ambitious pledge. We are so grateful for their time, talent and dedication to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital.”

The hospital volunteer organization currently numbers 104 members. They work in virtually all departments of the hospital, some helping with patients and others assisting in a variety of day-to-day functions. They raise money for patient-related projects through the hospital gift shop, vendor sales, popcorn sales, and special events.

Noted Baxter, “Every volunteer at some level has a part in accomplishing this great fundraising goal.”

The Spectrum Health Foundation—Ludington Hospital raises funds locally through a variety of projects, including the annual Benefit Ball. All the money they raise is used for local projects, and the birthing center, currently targeted for 2018, has been one of the key initiatives in recent years.