Thanks to a competition, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital received $35,000 to donate to local charities. This reward, plus nearly 435 pounds of canned goods, will be split between Fishes & Loaves food pantry in Cashiers and Highlands Food Pantry.
The Highlands-Cashiers Hospital received word they were division and company winners in a food drive and creative statue competition. Tom Neal, CEO of the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, said 183 hospitals across 16 divisions nationally competed, but ultimately Highlands-Cashiers Hospital won the Healthy Food for a Healthier Tomorrow competition. Hospitals collected canned goods and made a subsequent statue with those goods.
Division winners were awarded $10,000 to give to charities of their choice, with the company winner receiving an additional $25,000 for charity.
“We have $35,000. We felt it was important to spread it between both communities we serve,” Neal said.
Larry Morris, director of Fishes & Loaves, appeared first to receive $17,500. Fishes & Loaves’ current facility needs renovations. Morris said this donation should go a long way in helping those needs.
“We’re very excited about this. It’s a wonderful advancement to what we’re trying to do in serving the needs of our community and those in adjacent communities,” Morris said.
After Morris, TJ Smith, executive director of the International Friendship Center, which runs the Highlands Food Pantry, and Bonnie Dayton, director of the food pantry, appeared to receive their $17,500.
“This will help ease the worry of our overall budget as we continue to grow,” Dayton said in an interview. “This month, I actually went over budget to buy hams and turkeys.”
Local pantries can always make use of volunteers, monetary donations, and personal hygiene items, from razors to body wash to feminine hygiene products.
Neal said this was the third annual Healthy Food for a Healthier Tomorrow competition.
“It is designed to help fight food insecurity. We have provided more than one million nutritious meals through this program across the United States,” Neal said.
The hospital’s food drive ran throughout November. Neal said over 860 canned goods, or around 435 pounds, were collected and used to construct the Dr. Bear statue. This food will also be donated to the pantries.
The Dr. Bear can-statue represents work the hospital does throughout the community.
The Highlands-Cashiers Hospital held seven Teddy Bear Hospitals throughout the year around the Plateau where 700 teddy bears were donated to kids. These clinics help show school children medical procedures so they may be less anxious going to the doctor.
“The thought was to bring a smile but also maybe we could encourage our next generation to pursue a career in health care,” Neal said.
Neal also gave accolades and appreciation to key figures and community members who helped the operation. He recognized Dr. Nancy Dunlap, incoming board chair; Vice Chair Marc Hehn, who is also currently a commissioner for Highlands; Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor; and HCA Healthcare for their work in supporting the community. He also thanked the staff and remaining community who donated food to help make the drive a success.