Hospital's mental health wing named after school board

Peter Vaudry dropped by last night's meeting of the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board.

He was there to tell trustees that, if the Catholic board makes its goal of $1 million raised from voluntary payroll deductions from employees, the mental health wing of the new Sault Area Hospital will be named after it.

"I believe you can meet and exceed your goal," said Vaudry (shown with his best thanks-for-all-the-money smile), who chairs the new hospital campaign's community groups and special events committee.

Vaudry commended the Catholic board's community spirit and willingness to support the new hospital.

The full text of the board's news release is below:

****************** HSCDB employees ready to pledge support for new hospital

Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board employees will do their part to make a difference to the construction of a new Sault Area Hospital.

"Our employee groups have embraced the hospital fundraising campaign enthusiastically," says John Stadnyk, director of education. "They want to do their part to make this new hospital a reality, knowing it will be a vital part of our community's future."

The Huron Superior Catholic Teachers Association strongly urged board support for a payroll deduction program after receiving a presentation from campaign representatives.

Other employee groups were quick to jump on board.

Peter Vaudry, chair of the campaign's Community Groups and Special Events Committee, also made a presentation to trustees at Tuesday's meeting.

A payroll deduction program will allow employees to pledge their support over a 36-month period.

The campaign's theme is: You have a stake in the Sault. Build it! The goal is to raise at least $13.5 million from the community fundraising drive.

Construction on the new 289-bed facility is expected to begin next spring with occupancy projected for 2009.

A $1 million total raised by staff would allow a wing to be named for the employer.

"We are proud of the leadership shown by our employees," says board chairperson Marchy Bruni. "This speaks to our Making A Difference slogan and our pledge as a school system to forge community partnerships."

******************