This story appear in the Spring 2014 issue of Heart to Heart, which can found online by clicking here. 

COVINGTON - St. Tammany Parish Hospital has remained at the forefront of healthcare on the Northshore thanks in large part to $11 million in contributions over the past decade from individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations who invested in programs, facilities, outreach endeavors and medical technology.

In a record-breaking fundraising year, the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation proudly recognizes the 1,400-plus donors who made gifts in 2013 totaling nearly $1.8 million in philanthropic dollars. That represents a 56 percent year-over-year increase in fundraising to benefit the hospital.

A concentrated effort on major gifts resulted in unparalleled support from the Foundation’s community partners last year. The individual donor on the Northshore continues to set the pace of giving to the hospital.

Special events including the 25^th Monster Mash benefiting the Parenting Center, Angels of Light supporting Hospice and the Get Lucky! Golf Tournament advancing pediatrics all proved to be successful. Third-party events such as the St. Tammany Home Builders Association “Raising the Roof for Charity” Raffle House, the St. Tammany Women’s Council of Realtors Bras for a Cause and Dr. Bob Capitelli’s Dakota Celebrity Bartender Night rounded out the event calendar.

Annual programs including the year-end letter penned by STPH President and CEO Patti Ellish as well as the always-outstanding We Care Employee Campaign made their mark in the fundraising year. Little Rembrandts, an art project with students at Lyon Elementary School, paved the way for the Super Bowl auction in early 2014 to support Healing Arts.      

Planned gifts increased in 2013 as donors created charitable gift annuities which pay them an income for life and subsequently benefit the Foundation. This is the power of legacy giving.

The partnership of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital saw a year of grants, fundraising programs and projects culminating with the Benefits of Home Gala and the entire month of October dedicated to Geaux Pink events all ensuring  comprehensive cancer care in our community.

A decade of support to your community hospital Foundation has resulted in unrivaled care on the Northshore transforming healthcare for generations to come. 

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A full-service acute care facility committed to providing world-class healthcare and the latest technology, St. Tammany Parish Hospital delivers today’s life-improving procedures with the utmost care to area residents with emphasis on wellness, preventive care and disease management close to home. STPH is a self-supporting not-for-profit community hospital; it receives no tax funding. STPH.org

The St. Tammany Hospital Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to support and enhance the healing work of the physicians and staff of St. Tammany Parish Hospital. Through the development of philanthropic support, the foundation seeks to fortify the promise to provide world-class healthcare close to home, now and for generations to come. sthfoundation.org