Generous Challenge Grant Presents its Own Challenge

Faced with the enviable task or raising an additional $2 million to match the challenge grant from the Vadasz Family Fund, Sonoma Valley Hospital has created a “campaign cabinet” to make sure it happens.

The hospital’s Capital Campaign for Emergency Care co-chairs Marcia and Gary Nelson announced that Simon Blattner and David Good have agreed to serve as leaders of the new Campaign Cabinet, tasked with raising funds to meet the $2 million challenge put forth by Les and Judy Vadasz.

If the Campaign Cabinet raises $2 million, the Vadasz Family Fund, an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, will match it.

“I cannot imagine two more hardworking and committed people to lead the charge to meet the Vadasz Challenge,” said Nelson. “Their dedication to Sonoma Valley Hospital, and to the future of Sonoma, is why we invited them to participate as co-chairs of the new Campaign Cabinet. I couldn’t be more pleased that they accepted.”

“Our goal is to not just meet the $2 million challenge, but to exceed it,” said Blattner. “So far, the support from our friends and neighbors has been outstanding.”

Les and Judy Vadasz were honored recently at a city of Sonoma reception as they began their roles as Alcalde and Alcaldessa of Sonoma, part of a tradition going back to when Mexico had dominion over Sonoma Valley.

Good announced other members of the committee at the today’s “Topping Out” ceremony celebrating the completion of the steel frame of the new earthquake-ready hospital building.

They are Joe Aaron, Bill Brinton, Gerry Brinton, Karen Collins, Tom Culligan, Randy Derwingson, John Gurney, James Hahn, Bill Lynch, Manuel Merjil, Valerie Pistole, Rose Mary Schmidt and Paul Rozanski.

Good said, “I feel fortunate that we have a group of individuals that can reach many different demographics in Sonoma.  With this Campaign Cabinet and Advisory Council, I am confident we will be successful in reaching not only the $2 million challenge grant, but also the $11 million campaign goal.”

The Sonoma Valley Hospital Capital Campaign for Emergency Care is raising funds to close the gap between the $35 million general obligation bond (GOB) approved by Sonoma voters in 2008, to meet the State of California seismic standards and the cost of the new construction and equipment.

New seismic standards require most California hospitals to retrofit, rebuild or close by 2013. Thanks to the GOB obligation plus $11 million in philanthropic support from the community, Sonoma Valley Hospital will meet this deadline.

As outlined in an earlier Patch article, included in the project are a new central utility plant, east/west wing infrastructure upgrades, west wing seismic upgrades, infrastructure for electronic health records, expanded parking, electrical upgrades, and the new wing for a new state-of-the-art Emergency Care Center and Surgery Center.  

Sonoma Valley Hospital CEO Kelly Mather said, “The hospital is only as strong as the community that supports it and with all of the volunteers that are fundraising on our behalf, the hospital is very strong, indeed.  Thank you Simon, David and everyone on your committee.”

For more information about the campaign, contact Harmony Plenty at (707) 935-5070 or by email.