Rooks County Health Center Foundation
A new public transportation van for the county and new defibrillator and gurney for the Plainville/Palco ambulance service are among the items the Rooks County Healthcare Foundation (RCHF) has helped fund or plans to raise funds for. Organized in 1990 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, the Foundation encourages and obtains charitable gifts to aid in the continuation and the improvement of healthcare programs and services in Rooks County.
The Rooks County Healthcare Foundation, as stated in its articles of incorporation, accepts, holds, administers, invests and disperses funds given to it by persons, estates, corporations, foundations or government entities. The procurement and extension of financial aid toward the operation, maintenance and modernization of facilities of all medical entities in Rooks County are the Foundation’s priority.
“Some of the medical entities receiving assistance in the past are Rooks County Health Center, Palco, Plainville and Stockton Ambulance Services, Rooks County Senior Services, Solomon Valley Manor and physician clinics in the county. This allows the greatest amount of medical services to be extended to the people of Rooks County,” said Kathy Ramsay, the Communication and Development Director at RCH and Executive Director of the Rooks County Healthcare Foundation.
Often gifts to the Foundation are earmarked for specific programs or for the benefit of Rooks County Health Center. If a donation is made for an unspecified use, the Foundation Board in consultation with hospital administration determines how to utilize the funds effectively.
“The Foundation is a fundraising entity, and 100 percent of donations to RCHF are used to benefit the health systems in the county. None of the money is used for administration of the Foundation or medical center. This is accomplished with the help of the hospital, which provides personnel to handle the Foundation’s bookkeeping and other fund-management duties,” explained Ramsay.
All Foundation spending decisions are made by the Foundation's 15 member board. Board members, who serve three year terms, are elected and represent a cross section of the community. Many have special knowledge in banking, healthcare and finance and lend their expertise to responsible management of the Foundation's funds. The Foundation bylaws dictate that the board also includes one non-voting member, the Chief Executive Officer of RCHC.
Current members of the Rooks County Health Foundation board are Carson LeMarr, President; Troy Hixon, Vice President; Marilyn Simon, Treasurer; Jaime Gosselin, Co-Secretary; Gwen Lewis, Co-Secretary; Cathy King; Molene Hartzler; Geneva Mason; Charles Comeau; Charles Allphin; Mike Heenan; Linda Rudman; and Keith Unrein.
To make a donation to Rooks County Healthcare Foundation or to obtain any other information about the Foundation, contact Kathy Ramsay at (785) 434-4553, Ext. 288.