Because of tremendous giving from our local area and nationwide supporters, your local 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, West River Health Services Foundation, has been selected to receive two prestigious awards from the Impact Foundation. The Impact Foundation, along with the Dakota Medical & Alex Stern Foundations, is the organization who has created the largest single giving day in North Dakota, known as “Giving Hearts Day.”

The West River Health Services Foundation has been a member of the Impact Foundation for five consecutive years. This collaboration has aided the WRHS Foundation with fundraising education, coaching, resources and inspiration – and assisting WRHSF to raise an accumulated $1.47 million over the last five years!

This past year, the WRHS Foundation raised $697,852 leading up to and on Giving Hearts Day, February 9^th. This grand total was the top fundraising total within their category of nonprofits with operating budgets of $250K to $1 million. Although the WRHS Foundation is near the bottom of this category in operating funds, this past year’s effort resulted in a 1^st Place award of $10,000 from the Impact Foundation! In addition, the WRHS Foundation also received 1^st Place among all of the nonprofits participating with Giving Hearts Day (562) in the “Fundraising Growth” category – resulting in a $6,000 award from Impact. Needless to say, the WRHS Foundation is extremely grateful for all of the amazing support of our believers. Special recognition goes out to Dr. Mark Nelson and the Roger Follmer Estate, who gifted $475,000 to the WRHS Foundation. However, all gifts, no matter the size, are always accepted and respected at the WRHS Foundation. Together we are making a difference for top-notch healthcare “close to home.”

To celebrate these two awards of merit, the Impact Foundation asked the WRHS Foundation if they would create a video for them to play on their Impact Foundation Facebook page during the month of April. So, instead of interviewing the Fund Development Officer or the CEO or current WRHS healthcare heroes for a Facebook video, the WRHS Foundation decided to create a video that had a little broader vision -- about West River Health Services being the future of rural healthcare. Within two days, the script was written, a local videographer (Joel Janikowski) agreed to video and edit, local school administrators were onboard, six local 3rd-9th grade students at Hettinger School agreed to participate and their parents all signed off on the idea. An 85 second and 30 second video were developed showing local youth dressed as a nurse, a physical therapist, a surgeon, an optometrist, a radiologist and a paramedic -- saying lines individually like “I’ve grown up on a farm, I’ve always cared for creatures, and someday, maybe the two-legged kind” or “I can save a life because West River showed us CPR and how to use an AED” or “My Mom and Dad are physicians. Maybe I’ll be a surgeon!” Interwoven within the student’s statements, were cards showing West River Health Services, Top Notch Health Care, Close To Home, Together We Are a Team, United We Stand, We Will Not Fall, After All – then the students chimed in with “WE ARE THE FUTURE.” It ended with boards saying WRHS, WE ARE THE FUTURE OF RURAL HEALTHCARE, THANK YOU.  

Thanks to the unbelievable giving nature of our consistent believers, our WRHS Foundation is fortunate to receive these awards. Of course, a gift of $10 or more for Giving Hearts Day counts. So, we hope everyone will consider joining our West River Health Services Foundation next year for Giving Hearts Day on February 8^th. Onward to more top rural healthcare – for the future!

By Ted Uecker, WRHS Foundation