Drive For A Good Cause

The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation, The Mike Shannon Automotive Foundation and Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) have partnered to raise awareness and funds to support the Foundation’s unrestricted fund.

Unrestricted funds are directed toward an area of greatest need, and this donation, in particular, will help support an expansion project at the Agnesian HealthCare Hospice Home of Hope.

In December 2015, The Mike Shannon Automotive Foundation donated $25,000 to support the Hospice Home of Hope expansion.

This donation was followed with a $1,500 gift as part of Mazda’s annual Mazda Drive for Good winter event, which is a national fund-raising and volunteer campaign.

 “Mazda Drive for Good isn’t about selling cars,” according to Jim O’Sullivan, MNAO president and chief executive officer. “It is about giving back and building awareness. Many people may think that we are building awareness for Mazda, but part of our goal is to build awareness for our nonprofit partners, that helps them long term, not just during the Mazda Drive for Good event.”

Mazda customers will continue to direct the $150 donation for the purchase or lease of a new Mazda to one of four national nonprofits or one or more local nonprofit options specific to their area. Mazda will also continue to pledge one hour of service for every test drive taken during the Mazda Drive for Good event time. Giving Mazda customers a local nonprofit option helps bring Mazda’s philanthropy efforts to the local communities.

Gifts to the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation unrestricted fund are valuable and allow for allocation to the program or service where the need is greater. Contribution to these funds help the Foundation respond to the pressing needs of patients, residents and community.

           Recent national statistics show that more than 1.6 million people receive hospice services each year, and that number is expected to climb as Baby Boomers continue to age and begin to face the end of their lifetimes.

            Hospice Hope is already seeing this upswing, and is taking action thanks to the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation and community support to expand its Hospice Home of Hope residential facility, located at 400 County Road K in Fond du Lac (near St. Mary’s Springs Academy High School).

The Hospice Home of Hope first opened – thanks to Agnesian HealthCare Foundation funding – in spring 2000. The Hospice Home of Hope is a residential facility providing hospice care to individuals who are diagnosed with a terminal disease, have a life expectancy of less than six months and no longer wish to remain at home.

            The expansion – slated to begin in spring 2016 – will add 10 new private, homelike rooms increasing total rooms to 22. Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Milwaukee, is serving as architect, with CD Smith Construction as general contractor.

“For nearly 25 years, the Foundation has been dedicated to providing the necessary funds to help grow services and programs at St. Agnes Hospital, St. Francis Home and Waupun Memorial Hospital,” says Holly Brenner, Agnesian HealthCare Foundation president. “And, we extend this philanthropy in other ways to support a healthier community. We are very appreciative to receive support from Mazda, especially from Mike Shannon at Holiday Mazda.”

For more information about how to support the Hospice Home of Hope expansion, call (920) 926-4959.

In the picture:  Michelle Ries (center), Agnesian HealthCare Foundation director, accepts a $1,500 donation fromMazda’s annual Mazda Drive for Good winter event from (left to right): Nick Faymoville, Ryan Mikle, Shane Rosalez, Sarah Ackermann, Meghan O’Malley and Tom Kuitert.