MOUNT FOREST – The Mount Forest Louise Marshall Hospital (LMH) Foundation celebrated its 35th anniversary with an open house at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex on March 22.
The open house served not only to commemorate the foundation’s 35 years as a registered charity, but also as a heartfelt thank you to the many individuals, volunteers, donors, businesses, and service groups who have been instrumental in its success.
Since its establishment in 1990 under founding members Terrance Stoughton, Paul Grant and Dorothy Hall, the foundation has played a critical role in bridging the funding gap for hospital needs that are not covered by government support, raising more than $20 million to date in support of health care in the community, officials stated.
Guests attending the open house had the opportunity to browse through the years of foundation and hospital history on display, meet with past and present directors, enjoy refreshments including a formal cake cutting, and listen to speeches provided by attending dignitaries.
Mayor Andy Lennox, MPP Matthew Rae, MP John Nater, and North Wellington Health Care president and CEO Angela Stanley all shared words of gratitude to everyone who has contributed to health care in Wellington North.
At the open house, the foundation was presented with a donation of $13,000 from members of the LMH Auxiliary.
Thanks to the group’s many fundraising activities over the past year, including a spring luncheon, a fall bazaar, their annual quilt raffle, as well as managing the hospital’s gift shop, it was able to raise $13,000 to donate back to the hospital, which will help to fund capital projects and the purchase of essential medical equipment at Louise Marshall Hospital.
The auxiliary has a long-standing history, marking 103 years of service in 2025, and over $300,000 in lifetime donations to Louise Marshall Hospital, officials say.
LMH Foundation chair, Scott Hartle also addressed guests at the open house to extend his appreciation for their continued support, and to underscore the foundation’s ongoing mission.
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, the foundation has committed to raising $1.37 million in funding for priority capital projects and equipment needed at LMH.
These include a nurse call system, upgraded central monitors for special care rooms, vital signs machines, scopes, patient lifts, laboratory equipment, patient furniture and essential software and technology.
One of the key fundraising events planned to support this goal is the foundation’s fifth annual gala “Feathers & Fedoras, The Golden Age,” taking place on June 14.
For more information about the gala or the LMH Foundation, contact executive director Amy Van Huss at 519-323-2210 x.77711 or avanhuss@louisemarshallfoundation.ca, or visit louisemarshallfoundation.ca.
