$1 Million Gift Funds New MRI
by October 13, 2003 12:00 am 111 views
A $1 million gift to Sparks Regional Medical Center in September was the largest single donation in the Fort Smith hospital’s history. The donation came from the Sparks Guild in celebration of the charitable organization’s 100th birthday. It will be used to purchase a new magnetic resonance imaging unit at Sparks. r
The Sparks Guild has raised more than $2.2 million for the hospital since its formation in 1903. r
“This is just another wonderful example of the selfless service and generosity that this Guild has shown to Sparks for the past 100 years,” said Bill Senneff, interim president of Sparks Health System. r
Such donations “lift an enormous burden” for the health system, Senneff said, explaining that it would take $67 million in billed charges for Sparks to generate $1 million in net revenue. r
In a press announcement from Sparks, Jane Hartfield, Guild president, called the $1 million gift “a great start to the Guild’s next 100 years.”r
The Guild was originally formed as the Young Ladies’ Hospital Guild by 12 young women who raised money by hosting teas and dances. The Guild now operates two gift shops — one at the hospital and one at Sparks Medical Plaza. Funds are also raised at the Guild’s annual music event, An Evening for Sparks.