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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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Companion Corner: Mace at Second Chance Animal Shelter

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ARLINGTON, Vt. — There's a dog at Second Chance Animal Shelter who is anxiously waiting to explore the world with her new family.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Mace is a Plott hound, a coonhound breed, who is 3 to 4 years old. He has been at the shelter since September 2024.

Shelter manager Troy Quinn introduced us to Mace, saying he gets along with everyone.

"He was found as a stray by animal control. I think he kept getting loose on the owner, and unfortunately, they just didn't really have enough time for him," Quinn said. "They just kind of left him outside. But he's a very sweet boy. He loves everybody."

Mace would do best with someone who knows and loves hounds and how vocal they can be.

"His perfect home would be a hound lover, for sure, because they are quite vocal," he said. "You got to be used to the barking. He definitely loves walking, playing with his toys. He will go out and like bay at the woods and try to get the wildlife stirred up so he can chase it."

Because he likes to chase, he would do best without cats in the home as he finds them too fun to play with. He would also do best with a more submissive dog and older children since he can be jumpy.

He is very treat motivated and he loves to play with soft toys, making sure to tear them apart. He is eager to go on walks as well to explore.

"He loves to chew up his stuffed toys. He definitely likes being out in the woods and when there's not so much snow out. He loves walking the fields with our volunteers," Quinn said. "He does a little bit better with the no-pull harness."

He especially likes to explore wooded areas and would love someone who would do the same with him. 

"He's been just a really friendly, busy boy. He loves running around that yard, but he'd much rather be out in the woods," Quin said. "Pretty typical hound dog. He's loving. He's good for the vet, little bit wiggly."

At the end of the day he loves to snuggle up to you and look outside the window. Quinn said he would do well with anyone who is willing to put in the work for him.

"Anybody that's willing to work with them if they love hounds," he said. "He really is just a sweet, energetic boy."

Mace is sponsored by the Pet Connection.

If you think Mace might be the boy for you, reach out to Second Chance Animal Shelter and learn more about him on the website.

Second Chance Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. It is located at 1779 VT Route 7A. Contact the shelter at 802-375-2898 or info@2ndchanceanimalcenter.org.

 
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