News Releases - 2011

April 13, 2011

Second Time Around: West Park wins
national fundraising award
Award recognizes employees' spirit of giving

Toronto (April 13, 2011) – For the second year in a row, West Park Healthcare Centre was honoured with a national award for Culture of Philanthropy at the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) Awards held in Ottawa the week of April 11.

Under the Culture of Philanthropy category, hospitals from across Canada submitted applications. The prestigious award recognizes the spirit of giving staff, physicians and volunteers demonstrate in helping patients on the road to recovery.

“This award is a testament of the dedication and performance of the West Park family,” says John LaFramboise, Foundation President and CEO. “Year round, our staff, physicians and volunteers give a tremendous amount of their time, energy and money to making West Park the best place for rehabilitative and complex continuing care in Toronto.”

After having its most successful internal fundraising campaign the previous year, West Park steadily maintained and improved its Culture of Philanthropy despite another year marked with extreme financial uncertainly, a staff pay freeze and increased parking fees in 2010:

• West Park staff and physicians contributed over $86,000 in 2010, compared to just slightly over $60,000 in 2009 (a 43% increase)
• 41 employees donated to West Park for the first time, bringing the number to 236 staff and physicians who give annually
• 22 per cent of staff who already donated, increased their giving in 2010 — an encouraging sign of the dedication West Park employees demonstrate every day.

West Park Healthcare Centre provides specialized rehabilitation, complex continuing care and long-term care services. Working with patients and their families, we are partners in the often tough and challenging journey from survival to living life to the fullest. Through our programs and services, we help patients on the road to recovery.

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For more information, please contact:
Vince Rice, Director, Public Relations
West Park Healthcare Centre
Phone:     416-243-3730
Email:   vince.rice@westpark.org