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SVHC announced the organization had reached $24 million of its $25 million goal at a press conference on Thursday.

SVHC Asks for Community Help Reaching $25 Million Vision 2020 Goal

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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BENNINGTON, Vt. — Southwestern Vermont Health Care has officially raised $24 million as part of its $25 million goal for its Vision 2020 campaign, with plans to fund the last $1 million with community help.  

 

"We are asking the members of our community to lend their support to invest in a new generation of care. The goal is $1 million, and we hope to raise this amount in 6 months," said David Newell, co-chair of the Vision 2020 Public Phase Committee. "We’re on the cusp of a new and exciting future for the hospital and everyone in the tri-state area who turns to SVHC for care."

 

The announcement came at a press conference on Thursday. Money raised for the campaign will go toward the new Kendall Emergency Department, which will be double the size of the current space, and the Hoyt-Hunter Cancer Center, which will have double the number of exam and infusion rooms. 

 

SVHC President and CEO Thomas A. Dee said the current Emergency Department, the oldest such facility in the state, is taking on double the number of patients each year as was intended. 

 

"Our region requires modernized facilities to support the top notch care our exceptional clinicians provide," he said . "The improvements we are making will have a positive impact on the lives of each person in the community and continue to for generations. We are forever grateful for everyone’s support."

 

Andrew King, the other co-chair of the Vision 2020 Public Phase Committee, spoke to the importance of community contributions, no matter the size. 

 

"Every dollar makes a difference. No donation is too small," he said. "The most important thing is to do what you can to help us build a hospital that keeps pace with the care needs of everyone — growing families, aging adults, our sickest, our most vulnerable … All of us."

 

Funding up to this point has primarily come from donations over the last four years, including nearly 300 gifts from private donations and grants. 

 

"We would not be at this stage of the campaign without the generous support of Nancy and Don Kendall, the Hunter Family, the Hoyt Family, Pamela and Richard Ader, Jackie and Tony Marro, Lucinda Thomson and many more members of our regional community and SVHC volunteer leaders," said Tommy Harmon, trustee and chair of the foundation's Vision 2020 Steering Committee. "We are deeply indebted to all of our donors for their faith in our organization and their ability to see the need for facilities that match our clinicians uncompromising level of care they provide to our patients."

 

For more information, visit svhealthcare.org/Vision2020.


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CAT-TV: Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds

BENNINGTON, Vt. — There's still time to make a movie — and it only needs to be one minute long.
 
CAT-TV and GNAT-TV are inviting local filmmakers, students, families, first-time creators and experienced storytellers to take part in the competitive 2026 Shires 1-Minute Film Fest
 
The idea is simple: create an original film that is 60 seconds or less and submit it by the extended deadline of Oct. 9.
 
"We really want people to know this is something anyone can try," said William Gardner of CAT-TV. "You don't need to think of yourself as a filmmaker or have expensive equipment. Come up with an idea, grab your phone and see what you can create. Sixty seconds goes by pretty quickly."
 
Films can be funny, dramatic, documentary-style, animated, experimental, heartfelt, strange or something completely unexpected. You do not need professional equipment or filmmaking experience to participate. A phone, camera or tablet and a good idea are enough to get started.
 
The festival is open to all ages and experience levels. Films must be original, 60 seconds or less and appropriate for a public community screening. Participants should also follow the festival theme and/or dialogue choices and review the complete submission guidelines before entering.
 
And with the submission deadline getting close, there is a little extra incentive to finally make that film you have been thinking about. 
 
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