Foundation raises $16,500 for EMS ambulance

March 13--UNION -- The Union County Healthcare Foundation is much closer to reaching its goal of raising $20,000 to help purchase a new ambulance for the Union County EMS.

Since 1993, the foundation has raised nearly $2 million to supplement the efforts of Wallace Thomson Hospital, Ellen Sagar Nursing Home, EMS, and the local medical community in providing high quality, cost effective health care to the people of Union County.

Foundation Executive Director Catherine Childers said that the funds raised since 1993 have been used to help cover the cost of purchasing a variety of medical equipment including a cardiovascular stress testing system; SiteRight PICC Line equipment; a STEMI data transfer system; a PACS system for the hospital's radiology department; and a rescue truck for EMS.

The funds raised by the foundation over the past 20 years grew by another $16,500 Saturday evening with Shag Night at the Union National Guard Armory. The event featured music by the Band of Oz and live and silent auctions and refreshments.

Shag Night is one of a series of events the foundation sponsors each year to raise money to help purchase medical equipment for the hospital district. This year, the foundation is looking to raise $20,000 to help purchase an ambulance for EMS.

Childers said she was pleased with the outcome of Saturday's event and said the foundation will continue to work toward its goal of raising $20,000 for the new ambulance.

Sponsors

Childers offered a special thanks goes to the corporate sponsors of Shag Night who she said also helped make the event a success.

Platinum Sponsors

Switzer Foundation

Gold Sponsors

Arthur State Bank

BMW

Barham F. Kennedy

Dr. Melinda Moretz

Silver Sponsors

City of Union

Gentiva

Gestamp

Hospice Care of South Carolina

Southeast Emulsions

Union County

Mrs. William J. Whitener

Bronze Sponsors

John Baarcke, DMD

Holcombe Funeral Home

Jeter Hrubala Investments at Morgan Stanley

Scarborough & Associates Realty

Timken

Union County Development Board

Member Sponsors

Rep. Mike Anthony

Ashley Turner State Farm

Correll Insurance Group

Dairi-O of Union

M. Brown Fant, CPA

William & Jill Jeter

Lockhart Power

Nicholson Mansion at Fairforest

Dr. Richard R. Poole, O.D., P.A.

Sailors Asphalt Paving Company

Buddy & Gene Smith

Stacy's Custom Framing & Decorating

Tire & Auto Service Center of Union

Union County Chamber of Commerce

Union Family Pharmacy

Union Oil Mill

United Wood Treating

Upstate Forklift

Talmadge Wilkins, DMD

Mickey Wingo

Wingo Tire Center

Childers added that all funds raised by the foundation go toward the purchase of medical equipment for the hospital district. She said this is because the foundation owns 30 percent of American HomePatient, Union's local supplier for CPAP and oxygen. Childers said the revenue it earns through its partnership with American HomePatient pays for all the foundation's administrative expenses. She said this enables the foundation to devote 100 percent of the funds it raises to helping the hospital district meet the medical needs of Union County.

For more information about the Union County Healthcare Foundation call 864-301-2466.

Copyright 2014 - The Union Daily Times, S.C.