The Rotary Club of Long Grove has supported a project to improve maternity facilities at a hospital in Tortola, British Virgin Isles. Following a proposal by Rotarian George Welch,
Rotarian Bruce Osborne coordinated our efforts to make a considerable contribution to to project which was matched by funds from District 6440. George and Bonnie Welch live in Tortoa for a portion of the year and were familiar with the needs there. The unfortunate loss of a child at birth by a member couple of the Rotary Club there brought those needs to the attention of the local club in BVI and to our club.
The project is now complete and a thank you was printed in the local paper. We include the text here:
Rotarian Bruce Osborne coordinated our efforts to make a considerable contribution to to project which was matched by funds from District 6440. George and Bonnie Welch live in Tortoa for a portion of the year and were familiar with the needs there. The unfortunate loss of a child at birth by a member couple of the Rotary Club there brought those needs to the attention of the local club in BVI and to our club.
The project is now complete and a thank you was printed in the local paper. We include the text here:
Victoria and Chris Ghiorse and the Rotary Club of Tortola, would like
to thank the BVI community for supporting the Maternity Ward
Fundraiser. Our goal of $100,000.00 was raised. This enabled us to purchase and install
into the Peebles Hospital Obstetrics Ward and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: an infant
ventilator; an antepartum twin monitor; a Doppler; an incubator; a cardiac monitor; a vital
signs monitor; baby scales; 2 oxyhoods; 2 delivery beds; a digit finger oximeter; a handheld
oximeter; an electronic thermometer; 2 bili pads; an oxygen analyzer; and 2 bedside cabinets.
We would like to thank the following who have donated over $3000.00 to the fundraiser:Barbara and Edmund Pascoe
Drakes Traders
FedEx Express
Lisa Adamson/Cutting Edge Gym's Spin Ladies Spinathon
Mark Smith and his Etape du Tour Ride
Penny Compton and her London Marathon team
The Tortola Ladies Club
VP Bank
Zoe, Joe and Molly Thompson: The Sam Thompson
Memorial Fund for Less Fortunate Children
The Rotary International Foundation issued a matching grant to aid in the purchase of the infant ventilator. An initial $6,700 donation was turned into $25,000 through
the combined efforts of:The Anesthetic Equipment Fund in memory of Dr. Deanne Morgan for the original donation
The Rotary Club of Long Grove, Illinois and their Rotary District 6440
The Rotary Club of Tortola, BVI and their Rotary District 7020
Many other companies and community members in the BVI also provided funds which helped us to reach our $100,000 goal.
Additional recognition must go to the following people and organizations for their help to reduce almost all the other incidental costs enabling us to use over 99% of the funds on purchasing equipment:Leroy Moses of Tropical Shipping for his assistance with shipping the equipment to the BVI
BVI Ports Authority for waiving port fees
Ministry of Health and Welfare for providing Duty Exemptions
JCB Engraving for donating name plates for the equipment
Peebles Hospital Health Services Authority and maintenance staff
The doctors, midwives, nurses and staff of the Peebles Hospital Obstetric Ward
The BVI Press for covering our fundraisers Elena's footprints