The St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation continues to enjoy excellent support from the community, says executive director Roxy Blackmore, and that support allows the foundation to purchase new equipment for the hospital.

The foundation has received more than $261,000 so far during the fiscal year, which started April 1, 2012, and ends on March 31, 2013. That figure doesn't include any of the money collected during their annual Radiothon for Life last March, since that was included in the 2011-12 figures.

“We're usually around the $300,000 mark,” said Blackmore.

Among the donations that they have received during the 2012-13 fiscal year was an anonymous gift that will be used for an electrocardiography machine.

Another $20,000 has come in through memorial donations.

The foundation has spent about $150,000, Blackmore said. Items purchased include: $10,000 in kitchen equipment, a warming cabinet for blankets, IV pumps, a medication dispenser device and new mattresses for Unit A, an ice water dispenser, a coffee machine and television for long-term care, a birthing bed, ICU pumps for intensive care, a cafeteria cooler and telephones from rooms.

They have also made improvements to the endoscopy room and the garden area.

“Some of the donations are specified for certain pieces of equipment that people are very close to, or have affected them when they were at the hospital,” said Blackmore. “Others are for the general fund.”

Every department in the hospital still has its needs for 2013, she said.

Christmas was a busy time, as that is when a lot of people make their annual donations. They also had a revamped Christmas Cash Lottery, which offered tickets for lower prices, and a different format for awarding prizes.

Blackmore said this year should be a busy one for the foundation. The second annual Radiothon for Life will happen March 20, with proceeds going towards operating room tables and a sterilizing machine.

And they're going to try something new this year. Traditionally they have held a spring gala, which was a great event, Blackmore said, but she believes that event has run its course. The foundation wants to host a social at the hospital.

“That way they can actually come and see what they've purchased,” said Blackmore. “It's more of an informational night.”

The social, which will be in May, will allow donors to meet the staff and the patients who use the equipment, and learn about the equipment and how it has benefited the hospital.