A legacy of giving: Local donors help build Oakville Hospital’s future

A spirit of giving and a deepening connection with the hospital

Donald and Nancy met as teenagers in a small town in Eastern Ontario. Even with limited means, they upheld their strong belief in helping friends and family to the best of their ability. When they moved to Oakville in 1967, that spirit of generosity took root in a new community they were proud to call home.

Over the years, Donald and Nancy developed a close, enduring connection with the hospital. Their relationship with OTMH included Nancy’s decade of service as both a volunteer and an employee in the social work and discharge planning department, and it deepened as they both received care as patients. They have also been OTMH donors for decades.

“We made our first, modest contribution to the Oakville Hospital Foundation in 1994 in response to an appeal — as we did with several other charities,” explains Donald. “What stood out was the relationship we forged with the Foundation team and how they kept us informed about where our donations were going, and new ways we could help.”

“One example was when we became monthly donors. It was an easy way to be part of the success of our hospital every day,” says Nancy. “They made us feel appreciated and showed us how we are part of the hospital community.”

Increasing support to help meet local care needs

As the couple’s financial capacity to give increased over time, so did their contributions to the Oakville Hospital Foundation, making it their primary charity. And as their relationship with the hospital and foundation grew, so did the hospital itself. When a new hospital building opened in 2015, Donald and Nancy provided significant financial support.

“We remember first seeing the beautiful, state-of-the-art facility across seven active floors. At the time, we also learned about the ‘shelled space’ available for future expansion on the third, fourth and eighth floors,” says Donald, noting the foresight behind creating space to accommodate Oakville’s projected rapid growth.

The community has grown as anticipated, and the expansion into this unfinished space is now underway to meet residents’ care needs for the next decade. The project will quickly and efficiently add 80,000 square feet with 111 new beds for acute care patients, relieving pressure on the emergency department.

“It’s a comfort knowing our hospital is here when we need it, and that it’s growing to provide more timely service and meet the increasing demand.”

A legacy of generosity and investment in the future

Alongside funding from the Ontario government, community support is needed to fully bring this expansion project to life. The Oakville Hospital Foundation must raise 100% of the costs of furnishing and equipping the new spaces, and Donald and Nancy’s most recent major gift will help meet that goal.

“We’re all very fortunate to have a world-class hospital here in Oakville, which has been made possible in part by outstanding support from the community,” says Donald. “Our lives feel much more meaningful knowing we’ll make a major difference, changing and saving many lives over many years — and long after we have gone.”

Hoping to inspire the next generation of local donors

Donald and Nancy hope that their philanthropic commitment to the expansion project and to OTMH in general will encourage the next generation of community members to contribute to the hospital’s growth and sustainability.

“What we give today began with a modest donation and grew from there. A simple gift can evolve into something bigger,” says Donald. “By giving as you can, you help your neighbours and, undoubtedly, yourself in the years ahead.”