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Foundation Building Better Healthcare Through Philanthropy
Philanthropy is defined as the active effort to promote human welfare. In the early 1900s, several physicians in the area donated the initial funds needed to start Morris Hospital. A newspaper article read: "The venture deserves the good will of the public and the assistance of all citizens, who possibly can give anything towards its welfare. It is established for the benefit of the public at large and no private individuals will draw any revenue from the enterprise."
In August 1907, the Trustees and Medical Staff decided to begin looking for new property, as the existing location was reaching capacity. The next two years were spent raising funds and building the new Hospital, which opened on September 28, 1910. In 1919 before David A. Mathews, considered the father of Morris Hospital and the First President of the Board, left town to spend the winter in California, he donated $1,000 to place the institution out of debt.
In the earliest days, philanthropy advanced local healthcare at Morris Hospital. From donations of sheets to the creation of an endowment fund for a "free bed" at the Hospital for those unable to pay, to a campaign in 1927 to expand the Hospital which resulted in 1969, to providing for the acquisition of state-of-the-art technology and expanded services, the community has always played an important role in the provision of local healthcare.
Today, the need for philanthropy to Morris Hospital has never been greater. After all, we must prepare for the next generation just as the Hospital's founding fathers did for us back in 1906.
To make a contribution in support of Morris Hospital, simply click here or contact the Foundation office directly at (815)942-2932, ext. 1435.
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