Greensboro hospital wants you to ‘Share a Heart’

A lake area hospital’s fundraising efforts are bringing together Valentine’s Day and “Heart Health Month.”

“We’re just trying to spread the love that we have for our hospital,” said Becky Smith, Chair of the St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Foundation.

Instead of its typical annual gala, the foundation is in the midst of its “Share a Heart” campaign.

With the donation of $100 to the foundation, you will receive a Valentine’s Day treat bag to be “delivered to your home for you to share with a friend or neighbor to brighten their day,” the hospital said in a press release. “The bag will include candies, a ‘Share a Heart’ car magnet, and information on how the recipient can continue to ‘pay it forward’ by sharing a heart with a friend or neighbor.”

The month-long “Share a Heart” campaign kicked off on Jan. 21, as did the foundation’s paddleboard raffle.

A week-long silent auction will begin on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, and the items will have a wide variety.

“You’ve got vacations to Italy, Costa Rica, Mexico, and many other locations; you’ve got a food experience in your home,” Smith said. “There are some private parties with some terrific local talent, golf, flying, and many, many more.”

All of the money raised will go towards creating an “outpatient infusion room.”

“Currently, Good Samaritan Hospital sees 6-8 patients per day in need of infusion treatment (including cancer patients, those receiving IV antibiotics, and patients who need other vital medications),” a press release from the hospital explained. “This growing service line does not have a permanent location in the hospital and has moved around between the hospital’s patient activity room, chapel, and the mammography waiting room.”

Smith told Lake Country Today patients that a private dedicated room would make the experience much easier.

They hope to raise $100,000 through all three opportunities for folks to donate.

“This is just our once-a-year opportunity to support the hospital and show those healthcare heroes that have just worked so tirelessly that we are behind them,” Smith said.