The finish line is in sight for Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s $8 million capital campaign.

Hospital leaders are hoping community members will help them reach it by June 22, when the campaign ends.

“The next four weeks will be critical for us,” said Kathy Clausing, the hospital’s vice president and chief development officer.

Thus far, the hospital has raised $7.1 million of the $8 million goal, which will be used to help fund an approximately $50 million expansion. The expansion will include new private rooms, a new emergency department, additional birthing rooms, new surgery suites and a new intensive care unit.

“We’re very pleased and excited with the success to date,” Gene Meyer, president and chief executive officer of the hospital, said Thursday at a community reception at LMH. “A goal of $8 million is very ambitious, but because of the great success we’ve already had, we’re optimistic we can still reach it.”

The hospital will have food, music and games from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 22 on the west side of the campus at 325 Maine.

In addition to making traditional donations, Clausing said residents can buy commemorative bricks to be placed at the west entrance of the hospital for $250 or $500, depending on the size. Names of loved ones or others can be placed on the bricks.

Also at Thursday’s community reception, the hospital presented its annual report to the community. Among the statistics:

¢ Emergency room visits grew to 31,606 in 2006, up from 30,138 in 2005.

¢ Inpatient admissions declined to 6,446 from 6,943.

¢ Outpatient visits increased to 202,008 from 186,823.

¢ Births held nearly steady at 1,105 compared with 1,106.

¢ Total revenues for the nonprofit hospital grew to $131.6 million, up from $120.1 million.