Healthcare Systems raises funds, hope

They call this the season of giving. 

Many charities have their best hauls when the twinkling lights of December turn on each year. Stalwarts like the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and Make-A-Wish always do pretty good, using the sentimentality of the season to post pretty high numbers for their coffers.

But local non-profit outfits are also angling to get a bit of that good cheer. Out at the Gonzales Healthcare Systems Foundation, director Chance Freeman has been doing his best to fundraise for one of this city’s most important institutions of care.

“The Gonzales Healthcare Systems Foundation is humbled by the generosity of the Gonzales community as we recently celebrated a very successful Lights of Love community Christmas reception,” said Freeman. “The annual celebration is a beautiful way to honor family, loved ones and friends.”

For the uninitiated, the Lights of Love campaign culminated on the evening of Dec. 3 with a program in the lobby of the Healthcare Systems’ building. It brought together donors and showcased their memorials on tributes fit for the season.

On a tall, twinkling Christmas tree nestled in the lobby, donors contributed $5 and $100 gifts to honor friends and family members in the form of angel ornaments placed on the tree. Larger wooden angels stood sentry along the base of the tree to trumpet the donations of $1,000 in honor of someone. 

“This year’s celebration highlighted the impact that donations and philanthropy have on our community,” Freeman said.  

Personal heartfelt testimonials were shared by Gonzales Healthcare Systems Board Member Katie Garrett, Dr. Commie Hisey, DO, FAAFP and Kenneth Hyden. 

“From their different perspectives, a single theme emerged, ‘There is a spirit in this hospital that is doing great work,’” Freeman said. “Through the generous support of our donors, Gonzales Healthcare Systems continues to improve the quality of care provided to our community.”

How generous were the donors? After all of the ornaments were hung with care, approximately $12,100 was brought in for the Foundation and its services.

After the presentations, attendees enjoyed entertainment provided by tunesters Amanda Frederick and Dr. Bob Williamson who sang renditions of “Silent Night” and “Jiggle Bells.” An impromptu performance by Hospital Administrator Chuck Norris energized the crowd as they anxiously anticipated the arrival of Santa Claus, who was headed that way via REACH Air Medical Services. The Gonzales Fire Department also drove in their new fire engine for the assembled children to inspect as they patiently waited.

As the jolly old elf hopped from the chopper and headed indoors, a crew of three medical professionals were treated to their very own portions of milk and cookies. They had made the flight from their base in San Antonio and were happy to show off their air ambulance, optimized to be an ICU in the sky and adept at shuttling critically ill neonatal or pediatric patients from a scene or from hospital to hospital.

As Freeman also explained, Methodist Healthcare and REACH opened a third base in Seguin in 2013. That base is an integrated partnership between Methodist Healthcare System, REACH Air Medical Services, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center and AirEvac Lifeteam. The base is stationed at the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center and serves the residents of Guadalupe, Gonzales, DeWitt, Karnes and Wilson counties.

“The mission of the Gonzales Healthcare Systems Foundation is to cultivate fundraising and philanthropic ventures that improve the health and wellness of those served by Gonzales Healthcare Systems,” Freeman explained. “We believe that individuals in and around Gonzales deserve the highest quality healthcare possible.”

The Foundation serves as a conduit between donors and other funding opportunities as the hospital’s 501(c)3 non-profit revenue gathering organization. 

“We allow the public to see the benefits of giving by sharing the personal stories of those whose lives have been forever changed either by leaving a legacy or as a recipient of outstanding healthcare,” Freeman said.