Throughout 2021, donors to the LMH Health Foundation committed a near-record amount of philanthropic support to benefit LMH Health patients, programs and initiatives.

Last year was the second-biggest fundraising year in the foundation’s history. Donors provided nearly $3.8 million of support in 2021, coming close to the record of $4.2 million that was set in 2019.

“LMH Health provides so much to the people who live in the greater Douglas County region, and we are pleased to support these efforts in any way that we can,” said Jeff Weinberg, who has been involved with the foundation for years as a donor and board member. “There are so many worthwhile initiatives that will impact patients and their families for years to come.”

Hundreds of donors gave to the foundation in 2021, a year which was also the hospital’s 100th anniversary.

“As we celebrated LMH Health’s centennial anniversary this year, we have been humbled to see the investment our community continues to make in its hospital,” said Rebecca Smith, executive director of the foundation and vice president of strategic communications for LMH Health. “As health care evolves across our country and right here at home, donors ensure the foundation is positioned to be an innovative, collaborative partner for LMH — one that’s committed to improving health and health care for every single member of our community.”

Becki Dick, who served as the foundation’s board president in 2021, said the year wasn’t without challenges. She said the pandemic made it difficult for the foundation to host events in person, but that the community still “has come together in new ways to provide a nearly record level of philanthropic support.”

Donations in 2021 supported a number of major initiatives at LMH, including:

• A second cardiac catheterization lab. In 2021, donors helped the foundation meet its fundraising goal of $1.3 million toward a second heart catheterization lab at LMH Health. Fundraising for this project had been going on before 2021, as well, and Dana and Sue Anderson played a major role earlier in the fundraising effort by making a $1 million challenge gift.

“I am deeply grateful to our community members for stepping up to this critical initiative,” Dana Anderson said. “It’s important to keep our nonprofit hospital strong.”

Construction on the lab will likely begin in 2023.

• Cancer Center expansion and renovation. Donors have already contributed more than $3.2 million toward the planned expansion and renovation of the LMH Health Cancer Center. The project is expected to nearly double the program’s existing space at the hospital’s Maine Street campus.

Earl Reineman, major and planned gifts manager for the foundation, praised the community’s generosity on the project.

“Everyone, including our oncologists, are excited and honored to be a part of this important initiative,” Reineman said. “Ensuring our facilities reflect the top-notch care delivered therein — that’s the goal of the expansion project.”

Fundraising for the Cancer Center project will continue this year. The project is expected to cost between $7 million and $10 million, and the foundation hopes to cover as much of that cost as possible with donations.

• Health Equity Advancement Fund. This fund has supported the LMH Health Summer Leadership Academy, a program for local high school students, as well as educational opportunities for LMH Health employees and the greater community.

“As part of LMH Health’s commitment to better serve all populations in our community, we are increasing our focus on health equity,” said Erica Hill, the foundation’s director of finance and strategic initiatives and the hospital’s director of equity, inclusion and diversity. “Our goal is to directly address social determinants of health through education and community partnerships, and we’re excited to continue this work in 2022.”

• Help & Healing Fund. This fund helps patients with expenses for medications, medical equipment or other necessities for healing and recovery after a hospital stay, including transportation to follow-up appointments. In 2021, the Help & Healing Fund supported 612 people.

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Over the last five years, the LMH Health Foundation has distributed nearly $17 million to support LMH Health programs and care in the community, including direct patient care, education, hospital programs, equipment and services.

“We are so lucky to live in a community that recognizes the quality and importance of the work at LMH Health,” said Gail Vick, a member of the foundation board. “As we close out our centennial year, we do so with a renewed commitment to the philanthropic support that created our hospital a century ago.”

— Nicole Olson is an assistant at the LMH Health Foundation. LMH Health is a major sponsor of the Journal-World’s Health section.