Gothenburg Health Foundation Is A Recipient Of Areawide Lifeline Donation
Numerous changes in society and technology is the reason Areawide Lifeline is dissolving after 38 years of service to Dawson County. With the dissolution, current board members distributed remaining assets to area hospitals and senior centers. The Gothenburg Health Foundation is one of two hospital foundations to receive funds. Gothenburg Health Foundation board members accepted the generous donation of $50,000 on Sept. 15.
Areaside Lifeline was a non-profit corporation formed in 1984 by a group of area citizens and community-minded people who saw a need. Its purpose was “to provide a personal emergency response system (lifeline) to elderly, disabled or medically at-risk individuals in their homes,” according to board member Wendy Thome, Director of Central Plains Home Health & Hospice. “Its purpose continues to be very important; however, the need is being met through other forms of technology and other companies,” she said.
“We sincerely appreciate the generosity of this donation and are committed to using the funds as intended to continue to provide quality health care to Gothenburg and surrounding communities,” Mick Brant, Gothenburg Health CEO and Foundation Vice President said.
In addition to the Gothenburg Health Foundation, funds were also distributed to the Cozad Hospital Foundation and the senior centers in Gothenburg, Cozad, Eustis, Elwood and Farnam. “We want to promote health in our communities by providing community members with healthcare and other services that allow them to remain safe in their home communities as they age. Our hospitals and senior centers provide invaluable services in our communities,” Thome said.
Original founding board members of Areawide Lifeline were Roger Heidebrink, Harold Lewis, Kathy Stark, Theodore Thomas, Catherine Healey, Jane Potter, Janice Williams (Gill), Muriel Gengenbach, Sharon Meyer, Dorothy Sutton, Roy Block, Gilbert Kiesel, Robert Shackleton and Donna Hazen who is still a current board member.