Jodie Johnson, interim executive director of Riverwood Foundation, and Mike Steffen, president of Bremer Bank in Aitkin, point to the Better Together campaign tracking sign showing the successful completion of the $300,000 challenge grant goal.
Otto Bremer Foundation contributes $300,000 for Better Together Capital Campaign
In early 2011, the Otto Bremer Foundation pledged generous support for the hospital expansion and renovations at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin with a $300,000 challenge grant. A little more than a year later, Riverwood Foundation reports that the community, whose donations were matched dollar for dollar up to a total of $300,000, helped the Foundation meet this challenge.
The Otto Bremer Foundation contributed $150,000 to Riverwood Foundation to kick off the Better Together Capital Campaign and is giving an additional $150,000 now that the challenge grant has been met.
“The Otto Bremer Foundation has provided outstanding support for our capital campaign and the challenge grant helped to motivate community members to give generously as well,” says Jodie Johnson, interim executive director of Riverwood Foundation. “We gratefully thank all those individuals and organizations who responded to the challenge to double their dollars to support the hospital expansion and renovations here in Aitkin.”
Mike Steffen, president of Bremer Bank in Aitkin, comments: “Bremer Bank in Aitkin is proud to be a community partner with Riverwood Healthcare. In the 13 years that Bremer has been part of the community of Aitkin, we have always been very impressed with the way the community is willing to support our local healthcare system. This support is a perfect example of why Otto Bremer, our founder, had such a strong belief in rural communities and felt the need to support those communities by way of grants from the Otto Bremer Foundation.”
Loren Larson, Riverwood Foundation board member and donor from Garrison, explains why he gave to the capital campaign: “At some time in our lives, we all will have the need for healthcare and when that time comes, we want the very best care available to us. Riverwood has assembled an administrative team and a team of medical professionals to provide outstanding healthcare to Aitkin County and surrounding communities in a new and remodeled state-of-the-art facility. I consider it a privilege to participate in the capital campaign and support the ongoing healthcare needs in our community.”
To date, donations to the Better Together campaign total more than $1.6 million with another $600,000 that must be raised to reach the $2.2 million goal by the end of 2012.
For more information about the expansion project and to make a tax-deductible gift, visit www.riverwoodhealthcare.com/bettertogether or call the Foundation office at (218) 927-5554.
About Riverwood Foundation
Riverwood Foundation supports the work of Riverwood Healthcare Center through a variety of fundraising, grant and community awareness initiatives. Current activities include the Better Together Capital Campaign to support Riverwood’s $21 million expansion project, hosting the 8th Annual Riverwood Gala fundraiser, and administration of a $80,000 grant from the Minnesota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to support the Breast Health Alliance.
About Otto Bremer Foundation
Created in 1944, the Otto Bremer Foundation assists people in achieving full economic, civic and social participation in and for the betterment of their communities. This mission is based on the intent of founder Otto Bremer. His vision and longstanding commitment to communities during and after the Great Depression are carried forward today through the Foundation’s work in the places that are homes and neighbors to Bremer banks. The Foundation strives to help build healthy, vibrant communities—communities where basic needs are met, mutual regard is prized and opportunities for economic, civic and social participation are within everyone’s reach.
The Otto Bremer Foundation owns 92 percent of Bremer Bank and receives an equivalent share of the bank profits that are paid out as dividends. This means that a large portion of bank profit is invested back in local communities through grants and program-related investments.
Otto Bremer Foundation contributes $300,000 for Better Together Capital Campaign
Jodie Johnson, interim executive director of Riverwood Foundation, and Mike Steffen, president of Bremer Bank in Aitkin, point to the Better Together campaign tracking sign showing the successful completion of the $300,000 challenge grant goal.
Otto Bremer Foundation contributes $300,000 for Better Together Capital Campaign
