April 22, 2020 Southern New Hampshire—Four hospitals have banded together to help each other defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and have launched the Front Lines NH Challenge Match. This initiative seeks to inspire and increase the impact of individual and corporate gifts made through FrontLinesNH.org, a dedicated web site.
Often seen as corporate competitors in the healthcare field, the four nonprofit hospitals, Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and Elliot Health System (members of SolutionHealth); Catholic Medical Center (a member of GraniteOne Health); and St. Joseph Hospital (a member of Covenant Health)—are utilizing funds to support the massive response efforts to care for patients and keep staff safe.
The Front Lines NH Challenge Match will match individual or corporate donations of up to $2,500, dollar-for-dollar.
Lead sponsors of the Match are
Primary Bank in Bedford and
St. Mary’s Bank in Manchester, each donating $25,000.
Other Match sponsors include Southern New Hampshire University; Service Credit Union; Northeast Delta Dental; and Anagnost Companies. In all, the sponsors donated $85,000.
“It is remarkable how quickly our local hospitals have come together for the good of the community and our healthcare workers,” said Ron Covey, St. Mary’s Bank President and CEO. “They set an example for all of us to follow. We are only too happy to support Front Lines NH’s Challenge Match and champion its mission.”
“Primary Bank feels strongly that being a lead donor was our way of giving back to those who have given so much to all of us. We all see the frontline professionals perform their services with such dedication and selfless actions to assist those stricken with the virus and are in need of assistance,” said William E. Stone, President & CEO, Primary Bank. “We encourage all to get involved in supporting Front Lines NH Challenge Match with a donation that will be matched by Primary Bank and other sponsors.”
Through the web site, donors can designate a hospital of their choice or select the collective button, which distributes funds to all four hospitals. Match dollars will follow the donor’s designation.
“We are absolutely delighted with the outpouring of support we have received from all our sponsors,” emphasizes Sherry Hausmann, President and CEO, SolutionHealth. We know that the southern New Hampshire community has always been very generous and we can’t thank them enough for helping us help our frontline heroes during this unprecedented time.”
Jennifer Higgins Pitre, Vice President of Philanthropy, Catholic Medical Center agrees. “We have been heartened and inspired by the continued support of individuals and businesses in our community. We are grateful to the Front Lines NH Challenge Match donors who stepped up to support our collective efforts.”
The Nashua and Manchester communities have also stepped up with in-kind donations after social media underscored the increasing needs at the hospitals. Hundreds of individuals delivered personal protective equipment, including exam gloves, hand-made masks, hand sanitizer, goggles, and lotions. Deliveries of meals, pizza, granola, yogurt, ice cream and other snacks are being made daily, accompanied by notes of gratitude. Gifts are shared with all hospital workers onsite.
More than 100 cell phone chargers have also been donated to help COVID-19 patients stay connected with friends and family who cannot visit.
“The response throughout this crisis has been moving and impactful,” said Kelli Rafferty, Director of Philanthropy at Elliot Hospital. “From donations of protective equipment to care packages and dinners, the support is keeping our frontline staff safe and is a true morale booster.”
To learn more about the Front Lines NH or to donate, please visit the
site.
About SolutionHealth
SolutionHealth is a highly coordinated community-based regional health care network founded by Elliot Health System and Southern New Hampshire Health. Its purpose is to better serve the health care needs and interests of southern New Hampshire as a region by improving and increasing access, quality, value, and community benefits.
About Catholic Medical Center
Catholic Medical Center is a nonprofit acute-care hospital and regional health system based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with a commitment to delivering the highest quality and most advanced healthcare to patients across the state.
About St. Joseph Hospital
St. Joseph Hospital is a regional, full-service healthcare system serving the Greater Nashua area, western New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. We are building on a century of service to meet the growing needs of our community through innovation, leading-edge technology, and the highest-quality medical care, our tradition since 1908.