Sault Area Hospital Foundation Executive Director Cheryl Pavoni and Foundation Chair Gabe Stefanizzi answer questions after their presentation regarding future long-term fundraising for new hospital equipment at Monday’s hospital Board Meeting.

Members of the Sault Area Hospital Board heard a presentation from members of the hospital Foundation on Monday night. It was mentioned that the foundation will be working to raise money — with the goal of purchasing the latest equipment for the hospital. The capital needs of the hospital amount to 30 million dollars over the next 10 years. With such an ambitious target, foundation Executive Director Cheryl Pavoni says her group will be taking a ‘non-traditional’ approach, compared to a similar campaign to fundraise for equipment prior to the new SAH opening in 2011…

Diagnostic imaging will need new equipment at a cost of about 13 million dollars — there will also be a need for the latest equipment in the operating room. The foundation plans to take a different approach that involves a ‘culture of giving’ similar to that of the United Way. Pavoni says the campaign will specifically ask for more donations from individuals rather than corporations…

Pavoni mentions a different way of communication to make that happen — likely through a greater use of social media. That will be part of the campaign’s communication strategy, which has not yet been developed. The multi-million dollar fundraising campaign is expected to start next year. Another goal is to have people make the foundation one of the three top charities locally. Gabe Stefanizzi is the foundation’s chair. He talks about one of the biggest equipment needs the hospital has right now — a new CT Scanner…

Stefanizzi says the hospital should not be referred to as the ‘new hospital’, but ‘our hospital’. He adds with SAH serving as a community hospital, the community will come on board and respond to support the upcoming round of fundraising. The multi-million dollar fundraising campaign is expected to start next year.