Blue Mountain Health System

Blue Mountain Health System Fund Development Committee

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Development Committee is to help the Blue Mountain Health System meet its commitment to providing quality health care to people in Carbon and surrounding counties.

Strategy Statement:

The goal of this Committee is to provide additional funding resources to promote new and expanded services, innovative clinical and out-patient care, and educational opportunities for medical staff.

Moving Forward Together

Most non-profit hospitals can trace their early development and growth to the efforts of a few dedicated volunteers who made investments of time, talent and treasure. This was indeed the case for the Gnaden Hutten and Palmerton Hospitals, their Foundations, their Auxiliaries and other community groups and individuals who played a key role in the success of these institutions over the years.   

The nation’s healthcare industry is very competitive and ever changing, which places a daunting and expensive challenge on the small rural community hospital just to keep pace. This is precisely the reason why the Palmerton and Gnaden Huetten Hospitals came together in July 2004 to create the Blue Mountain Health System. And now four-years after the merger, the Board of Directors, recognizing that how the community invests in their hospitals is also evolving, have taken the first significant steps toward the consolidation of the Health System’s fund raising efforts under one banner; “The Blue Mountain Health System Development Committee.”  Indeed the Board of Directors and its Development Committee is hopeful that the citizens of Carbon County and its surrounding communities, regardless of their past allegiance to the Palmerton or Gnaden Huetten Hospitals, will recognize the value of a strong local healthcare system, and in doing so will make the investments of time, talent and treasure necessary to propel the Health System forward.

Matching Gifts: Before you send your gift consult with your employer as they may match your gift to the Health System. Contact your employer’s human resources department for a copy of its matching gift form to submit with your donation.  If they don’t have a matching gifts program, encourage them to establish one.  

Remembrance Donations: What better way to honor or memorialize a family member or friend then with a meaningful gift; a personalized inscription on the “The Tree of Life” which is located in the hospital lobby of the Gnaden Campus. Contributions to the “Tree of Life” are recognized either by a rock under the tree or a leaf on the tree. Gifts are considered contributions made during a one-year period. Contact the Development Office to receive specific details of this program.   

Planned Gift Options: In the past, the thought of making a significant donation to a not-for-profit organization was reserved for the wealthiest families of our nation.  This is no longer the case as many middle income families have taken advantage of changes in the income tax code that created charitable trusts. These trusts allow taxpayers the opportunity to reduce estate taxes, reduce or eliminate capital gains, claim an income tax deduction and at the same time benefit their favorite charities instead of the IRS.   Some examples are as follows:

• The Health System can easily be made a beneficiary in your existing will by adding a codicil.
• With the establishment of a gift annuity or remainder trust, you can receive annual income in exchange for your gift of cash and/or securities at the time of your death.  
• Consider the possibility of gifting real estate outright to the Health System, or you can sell your real estate yourself to establish a charitable trust. 
• You can transfer ownership of a property to the hospital while continuing to use the property during you lifetime or you can give the property thought a bequest.
• You can make the Health System the beneficiary of a new or existing life insurance policy.

Many of these suggestions have significant tax advantages. Please contact your estate attorney or our Development Office for additional information about these giving options.

Volunteer Opportunities:  Perhaps your financial situation will not allow you to make a cash or property gift to the Health System, or in addition to your financial support you wish to do more. Then by all means consider giving your time and talents to one or more of the planned fund raising projects that benefits the Health System. Please contact the Development Office for additional information about volunteer opportunities currently available.

Annual Fund Raising Activities:

• The Blue Mountain Charity Ball, also known as, “The Gala,” is a formal black tie dinner dance, and serves the Health Systems as its premier fund raising event. The gala is held in April each year.  
• The Blue Mountain Health System 5K Run/Walk,” a project that in addition to raising funds promotes the value of a daily commitment to physical exercise, The Run/Walk is held in May each year.  
• The Blue Mountain Health System Golf Tournament held in June each year.
• The Blue Mountain Health System TV Auction, a thirty-year tradition of “grass roots” philanthropy at its best, held in July each year.

These anchor events, individual and cooperate donations, memorial donations, as well as special fund raising projects undertaken by the Hospital’s Auxiliaries and other supporting groups within and outside of the Health Systems constitutes the bulk of the Health Systems fund raising efforts.

Your donations support:

Each year, the leadership of the Health System guides the Development Committee by communicating priorities for the distribution of funds to be used for creating or enhancing existing services, needed equipment, or for staff professional development.  

The 2005-06 Priority: The opening of the Psychiatric Unit specializing in the treatment of mental health disorders among the older adult population at the Palmerton Campus and the adoption of the Healthy Smiles Happy Kids Mobile Dental Unit, which provides school based dental services for underprivileged children throughout Carbon County and its neighboring communities.