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Press Release Archive (2013)

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Lowell General Hospital Fills the Sun Santa Fund Stocking with $64,000

Record-breaking donation benefits local families in need

SunSantaCheckLinda Gaetano, manager of volunteers and LGH Sun Santa coordinator and Norm Deschene, president and CEO of Lowell General present Santa Claus with a check for the Sun Santa Fund.

Through the combined generosity of staff, physicians, visitors and friends, Lowell General Hospital donated $64,000 to local families in need through this year’s Sun Santa Fund. The donation is a combined total raised through tickets sold for the annual “Holiday Theme Basket Raffle” matched by the hospital as a charitable contribution. The donation, the highest amount received in history by the Sun Santa Fund, breaks the record set by the hospital last year of $57,300.

Fun and prizes go hand in hand with raising the money that will help needy families throughout Greater Lowell this holiday season. More than 126,000 tickets were purchased at $5 for 20 tickets or $1 for 3 for a chance to win one of 32 prizes – elaborate, themed gift baskets created and donated by staff and affiliated offices of the hospital. Prize values ranged from several hundred dollars into the thousands, including the popular “Tech the Halls” basket, donated by the hospital’s IS Department, which featured an iPhone, iPad, laptop computer and more.

SunSantaRaffleBasketMaster of Ceremonies, Lowell General President and CEO Norm Deschene and his assistant Volunteer Coordinator Debhinn MacFadgen-Watts host the hospital's Sun Santa raffle event, choosing winners for 32 prizes.

“This is just another way we help care for the health and well being of our community. By supporting families who could use a hand to help make their holiday season a little brighter, we get back far more than we give.” said Normand E. Deschene, president and chief executive officer of Lowell General Hospital. “The Sun Santa Fund does so much to reach folks at this time of year and we’re thrilled to be part of it and have a lot of fun doing it.”

The Sun Santa Fund ensures proceeds go directly to Greater Lowell families in the greatest need, as identified by Community Teamwork, Inc. and the Salvation Army. These agencies verify eligibility and determine the level of assistance that can be provided. Separate vouchers for food and toys are then distributed to the families.

SunSantaBasketWinnerSanta Claus congratulates prize winner Lowell General employee Sherri Jefferson.

Raffle organizer Linda Gaetano, manager of volunteer services has been running this hospital fundraiser for the last 8 years. “Just like our patient care teams involve many people throughout the hospital, so does the effort to reach such an incredible donation,” explained Gaetano. “The person who contributes to their department basket, the visitors and friends who buy tickets, the volunteers who set up the displays and sell the chance tickets, even the person who tells someone about the raffle makes this annual tradition such an overwhelming success.”

SunSantalogoClick here to read more Sun Santa News and watch a video of our own Norm Deschene selecting raffle basket winners on Sun Santa Media.

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