As 2023 came to a close, Mercy Health Foundation Lebanon took stock of the year and celebrated several major wins that have benefited the Lebanon community.
One of the biggest wins for the Lebanon foundation came at the hospital’s annual fundraiser on October 21. “We set out to raise $90,000 and wound up with more than $110,000,” Simpson-Neasby said. “We blew our goal out of the water, and I’m very thankful for every single one of our donors. Proceeds will go to the Curry Cancer Center and will be used for program support for things like patient transportation and prescription assistance.”
Another win for the foundation was the launch of Lebanon’s Women With a Mission. The local chapter is part of Mercy Health Foundation, and the goal of the group is to unite women in their communities around a key focus: bringing high-quality health care to anyone who needs it. The group raises money through membership dues and fundraising events. Already the Lebanon chapter has welcomed 28 members and hosted three events in 2023. “This is a great way for our community to band together and support the health care needs of our friends and neighbors,” Simpson-Neasby said. “We’re just now wrapping up our first year, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next year.”
Finally, Foundation was awarded a $5,500 grant from Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks, and it gave out several scholarships to students enrolled in the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Professional Studies who are interested in careers in health care. The scholarships help cover tuition and room and board costs.
“When we look at everything we’ve accomplished this year, I feel so much pride in our team and our community,” Simpson-Neasby said. “Lebanon is a tight-knit community, and we know every dollar we raise is going to help those in need. Whether we’re supporting students who will become our next doctors and nurses or providing financial assistance to cancer patients or helping families who have just welcomed a new baby, everything we do at the Foundation is aimed at improving the lives of our patients and our community. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve done together, and I’m thankful for the generosity of our donors who supported Mercy Health Foundation. We can’t wait for our team to get to work in 2024.”
