The East Kootenay Foundation for Health’s (EKFH) Beneath the Surface campaign, a fundraiser to bring an ultrasound service to the Elk Valley, is a mere $25,000 away from reaching their $300,000 goal.
The current sum includes 153 donations from businesses and individuals from all over the world, with funds coming in from as far as Australia.
“There has been donations from $10 up to $50,000,” said Brenna Baker, executive director of the EKFH.
“Ninety-eight percent of the people who have donated are new donors to the foundation… So hopefully we can continue a partnership with these folks and improve healthcare throughout the whole of the Elk Valley, including Elkford and Sparwood.”
The total also includes a last minute donation from Allan Amundson, owner of Winmar Kootenay, who donated $5,000 on Sept. 29.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to support the purchase of an ultrasound machine for the Elk Valley Hospital,” said Amundson.
“In small towns such as ours, friends and loved ones must drive over an hour to have an ultrasound completed, often in adverse conditions over mountain roads. Here is a step in the right direction to changing that.”
Additionally, GearHub Sports recently donated $5,000 to the campaign, and Fernie Brewing Co. remains committed to donating $5,000 through their ongoing Cheers to Charity tap.
The donations add to those previously reported on, including $50,000 donated from Teck Coal, $20,000 from Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Electoral Area A, $14,275 from the Elk Valley Epic mountain biking event, $5,000 from the East Kootenay Community Credit Union, and $5,000 from the Fernie Fox Hotel.
“It’s been neat to see all these businesses that have come forward to help support this great cause,” said Baker.
“We are so grateful to the Elk Valley community, the support, and the people getting the word out.”
For more information or to donate to the fundraiser, visit EKFH.ca.
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