Business Community Rallies for SVHC Vision 2020 Project

11:34AM / Wednesday, November 23, 2022Print Story | Email Story

BENNINGTON, Vt. — In an awe-inspiring show of dedication to the health of our communities, 55 local businesses have signed on to collect donations to support Southwestern Vermont Health Care's (SVHC) Vision 2020, A Decade of Transformation Capital Campaign, November 21 – January 2.

"We are so thrilled and incredibly grateful with the response we have received from local businesses," said SVHC's Vice President for Corporate Development Leslie Keefe. "We thank them for their support for this essential work to improve our capacity to care for our communities."

The project, the biggest the hospital has undertaken since the mid-1990s, includes the renovation and expansion of the health system's Emergency Department and the construction of an all-new regional Cancer Center. The new Kendall Emergency Department and Hoyt-Hunter Regional Cancer Center will impact care for residents of southern Vermont, northern Berkshire County, and eastern New York.

Many business participants will ask customers to round up to the nearest dollar to support the project. Others will offer the opportunity to make a donation by posting a QR code near their register or on their restaurant tables.

Bennington businesses include the Avocado Pit, Bennington Pizza House, Dutchman's Tavern, Elm Street Market, Family Footwear Center, Farm Road Brewing, Hawkins House, Lil' Britain Fish and Chip Shop, Little City Cider Company, Madison Brewing Co. Pub & Restaurant, Ramunto's, Sunny Side Diner, The 421 Craft Bar and Kitchen, The Clip Shop, The Publyk House, Village Chocolate Shoppe, and Your Belly's Deli.

In the Dorset and Manchester Area, Apricot Lane, Armani Outlet, Avocado Pit, Barrows House, Charlie's Coffee House, Coco Goose, CurATE, Dorset Bakery, Dorset Inn & Restaurant, Family Footwear Center, Gringo Jacks, J&J Dry Cleaning, JK Adams, La Peche Lingerie, Marimekko Outlet, Michael Kors Outlet, Mountain Goat, Pearl's Place, Pets Etc., Polo Ralph Lauren, Raven's Den Steakhouse, RK Miles, Sam's Woodfired Pizza, Spring & Harbor Boutique, The Italian Market, The Village Peddler, Union Underground, Vineyard Vines, Willoughby's Depot Eatery, and Zippy Chicks are participating.

Williamstown's participants include Coyote Flaco, Cozy Corner, Desperados, RK Miles, Spirit Shoppe, The Barn Kitchen & Bar, and Where'd You Get That? Ramunto's in Arlington and Dwyer's State Line Beer & Wine in Pownal have also joined the program.

Additional businesses may join the program by contacting the SVHC Foundation at foundation@svhealthcare.org or 802-447-5017. They will be added to svhealthcare.org as they join.

"By joining this campaign, each of these businesses is showing their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their families, employees, and the regional community," Keefe said. "We hope that holiday shoppers and those out celebrating the season will patronize these businesses and, while there, make a contribution to the hospital's crucial building projects.

The SVHC Foundation Board and Vision 2020 Steering Committee has been quietly raising funds for the project for the last four years. To date, $24 million has been raised toward the $25 million goal. The Public Phase Committee, which consists of community members from each of the regions the hospital serves, is leading the effort to raise the final one million dollars.

The newly expanded Kendall Emergency Department will nearly double the size of the current Emergency Department, which was designed to accommodate 14,000 patient visits a year but currently sees nearly 25,000 annually. The project will further enhance patient safety, infection prevention, and patient privacy. Vertical treatment areas will allow for highly efficient treatment of low-acuity conditions. The project also includes an expansion to the Emergency Crisis Area for those experiencing mental health distress and increased telehealth connectivity with Dartmouth-Hitchcock.

The new Hoyt-Hunter Regional Cancer Center will have double the number of exam and infusion rooms. The design focuses on patient comfort in addition to clinical excellence.

"As we close in on our $25 million goal, no donation is too small, and every gift is greatly appreciated," Keefe said. "We want everyone to participate and feel that Southwestern Vermont Healthcare is their hospital and that these new facilities belong to them."

Visit svhealthcare.org/vision2020 to learn more and to donate.

Tags: svhc, SVMC,

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Companion Corner: Benny and June at Second Chance

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
01:41PM / Thursday, November 12, 2026

ARLINGTON, Vt. — There is a sibling pair waiting for their new home at Second Chance Animal Shelter.

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

Benny and June are a brother and sister duo who are eight months old.

Feline program administrator Santana Snyder introduced us to them.

"Benny is quite a bit larger than June," she said. "June went through a little stint when she was little, not really growing, so we do believe she'll probably be a little bit of a petite cat most of her life. Benny, on the other hand, is quite large for his age."

The two have been at the shelter since May after being born outside of the shelter.

"Their mom was a stray kitty and gave birth to the kittens outside," she said. "Someone found them, took them in, and cared for them until they could come here, just because they couldn't care for them long term. They did have other siblings, but the other siblings have been adopted, and mom has been adopted as well."

The two are bonded and would need to go home together, as being together is their favorite thing.

"They love to play. They are bonded. They do need to go home together," she said. "They love cuddling up in their bed and playing together, cleaning each other. They haven't ventured out onto the patio yet. Since they are little, we try to keep them inside until they're at least a year old. But they like watching out the window. That's for sure."

The two are quite independent but can go home with other cats and kids and possibly a dog.

"Benny is definitely more outgoing than June," she said. "She's a little bit more reserved, but he definitely helps her come out of her shell. They're both very sweet, a little bit independent for being kittens."

It is important that you keep up with the vet for the two.

"Just because June did go through that stint of not really growing, and she's still growing, but very slowly," she said. "We've done all the tests that we can possibly think of to do for her, and we've not found anything that would cause that to be an issue. But that just seems to be her. So just working with your vet closely to make sure that she continues to grow and doesn't develop any other health issues."

The two are on a prescription diet that can be a bit expensive, but they will need to stay on it.

"They are on a prescription diet. They do have some gastrointestinal issues that we've worked through and been able to find something that works well for them. So that is prescription," she said. "You'll have to work pretty closely with your vet to maintain their issues and continue that food. Otherwise, very healthy kitties."

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