Wrangell Medical Center Foundation last month issued a letter to supporters informing them it would forgo its annual fundraiser weekend this year.
For the past ten years the Brian Gilbert Memorial Golf Tournament and fundraiser dinner is hosted in Wrangell each May in order to raise money for the Foundation. The Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to support the community’s medical needs. The funds it handles fills a few roles, primarily supporting WMC’s bid for a new facility but also procuring new equipment, funding its cancer-related travel expenses program, and financing a two-year health careers scholarship for Wrangell High School graduates.
Arranging the organization’s largest fundraiser – which includes a nine-hole golf tournament, a catered dinner at the Nolan Center, and a charity auction – is no easy feat. One of the reasons the Foundation has decided not to hold the event is the upcoming departure of WMC’s outreach coordinator, Kris Reed, who in past years has led its planning.
“She was the one that carried most of the burden,” explained Patty Gilbert, WMC Foundation president.
Some volunteers had gotten together to plan the fundraiser themselves, but Gilbert said with the time available it had proven too much to handle.
“We can’t really do it justice,” she said. “We’re going to take a break for a year and regroup.”
Reed will continue working with WMC through the middle of April on a half-time basis, transitioning into a new position with Southeast Alaska Rural Health Consortium. The hospital is this week in the middle of interviews for her replacement, though some of the job’s duties will be covered by other staff, leaving the position a half-time one.
“We relied quite a bit on Kris Reed. We’re going to miss her,” Gilbert commented.
WMC CEO Robert Rang explained another reason for the fundraiser and tournament’s cancellation this year relates to the changing scope of finding a new facility. Updated cost estimates for a facility put out last fall were several times higher than previously expected, and coupled with revenue issues the city-run hospital is looking at other options.
One of those potentialities being explored will be some degree of partnership with another health care provider, with SEARHC the likeliest candidate. At this juncture, Rang explained, it was a good opportunity for the Foundation to step back from its fundraiser and reevaluate how it allocates its resources.
The Foundation’s tournament had once been a big draw for golfers from other communities around Southeast, though in recent years Gilbert thought less promotion has lessened turnout. Petersburg participants have still made the rounds for it, though Petersburg golfer Rocky Littleton explained the annual Ryder Cup and Alaska Airlines tournaments were the bigger draws.
Another big tournament for both communities is the Rally for Cancer Care Tournament, typically held in August. Also benefiting the WMC Foundation, proceeds from that go toward its cancer care travel fund, which helps defray costs for flights and accommodations for patients undergoing treatment. Gilbert said that tournament is still on for this year, which will be its 12th.
All the tournaments are held at Wrangell’s Muskeg Meadows Golf Course, which may begin its 2018 season at the start of April.
“It’s weather-dependent,” explained club manager Bill Messer. “Right now it’s not looking good for April 1.”
But the course’s tournament lineup this year looks similar to last year’s, the Brian Gilbert notwithstanding. An increase in cruise ship dockings scheduled for Wrangell this summer is also expected to boost use at the course.
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