Monthly News & Updates

MAY 2025 | Issue 3

A Message from our Executive Director

Dear Friends,

As we step into the summer season—a time of renewal and growth—we’re reminded of the incredible impact our donors have on healthcare in our community. Your generosity continues to transform lives, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment.

This spring, some of our Foundation team attended the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy Conference. It was an inspiring reminder of the strength of our local community. There is truly heart for health here in Brockville.

Mark your calendars! Our Ride the River event returns on June 8th, and our next MEDtalks takes place on June 17th.

We hope to see you there!

Warm regards,

Trish Buote

Executive Director,

Brockville & District Hospital Foundation

2025 SMILE COOKIE CAMPAIGN!

We are absolutely thrilled to share the results of this year’s Tim Horton's Smile Cookie campaign… $45,288.20!

Our deepest thanks to Tim Hortons Brockville for your unwavering commitment and the tremendous effort poured into every part of this campaign.

To everyone who purchased, decorated, gifted, or simply enjoyed a Smile Cookie — thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your kindness and support truly make a difference.

Because of you, every dollar raised will go toward purchasing much-needed Infusion Pumps for Brockville General Hospital helping provide safe, controlled care to those who need it most.

We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS

LET'S RIDE TOGETHER at the 5TH ANNUAL RIDE THE RIVER ON JUNE 8th!

The community-driven cycling event you've come to know and love!

We're proud of the tradition we've built together - riding for a cause, building community and making a local impact.

We can't wait to ride with you again this year.

THANK YOU for your continued support!

All money raised will be matched by an anonymous donor in support of the Bottoms Up! campaign to modernize colon screening equipment Brockville General Hospital.

LEARN MORE

Smart Moves for a Safe Summer!

The Brockville & District Hospital Foundation warmly invites you to an informative evening on June 17th at 6:00 PM at the Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing.

We'll cover essential topics to help you stay healthy this season, including:

☀️ Preventing early skin damage

☀️ Recognizing the signs of heat stroke

☀️ Travel and vaccinations

☀️ Protecting yourself against ticks and mosquitoes

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and engage with our healthcare experts by registering below!

The Friends of Palliative Care Golf Committee is looking forward to celebrating the

32nd Annual Golf Tournament in 2025. Over the past 31 years, this event has raised over $5,193,400 to support the Palliative Care Outreach Program in our community.

The success of this event is thanks to our wonderful sponsors. Many of you have been with us from the very beginning, while others have joined along the way. We hope that some new Friends will join us this year too!

Together we have raised millions, ensuring that we meet the annual need of over $900,000 for this vital program. We are deeply grateful for your friendship and unwavering support for this cause.

BECOME A SPONSOR!

REAL PEOPLE. REAL STORIES.

A LEGACY OF GIVING

Remembering Bob Noonan

To those who met him, Bob’s kindness was unwavering. He had a quiet generosity that spoke louder than words. Month after month—often more—he would stop by the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation, offering donations to support areas of greatest need. He also gave to the Your Health, Your Hospital campaign, always with thoughtfulness and sincerity. In his final act of giving, Bob left a gift to the Foundation in his estate—a lasting testament to the compassion and selflessness that defined his life.

Bob was a quiet, humble man, who was never taken with the trappings of money and possessions.

He was a gentle soul who loved his cat, Kitten,

befriended porch chipmunks, and loved 70s rock. He inspired kindness and the spirit of giving and we were inspired by his generous and thoughtful heart.

Known to many as Sensei Bob, he was more than a teacher of karate and self-defense—he was a mentor, a guide, and a steady presence in the lives of countless children and youth over the years. He inspired respect through patience, integrity, and a deep sense of care.

Bob’s faith community at Brockville Wesleyan Church was a cornerstone of his life. He gave his time generously, volunteering with kids and youth programs and lending his quiet strength to Silver Lake Wesleyan Camp. A lifelong learner, Bob read extensively, listened with intention, and was always up for a spontaneous game of parking lot hockey.

In his final years, as he faced his cancer diagnosis, Bob remained gracious and strong. His family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Brockville General and Kingston General Hospitals for their dedicated care, and to the neighbours, CHPC drivers, and friends who stood by him in his time of need.

Bob’s spirit of giving, his gentleness, and his steady heart have left a mark on all who knew him. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched—and in the Foundation he so deeply believed in.

“I think we are a loyal, closely-knit group who usually work well under pressure... we are not “Clock watchers.” Many of us have had OR, OBS or ICU experience and feel we can cope with anything that comes in the back door.” - Laura Noonan

Bob’s mother, Laura, passed on her deep sense of compassion and generosity to her son, shaping his love for caring for others. Laura was widely admired for her fiery spirit, infectious laugh, and nurturing nature. She had a zest for life and

adventure—she especially loved walks along the river trails and once even soared in a hot

air balloon. A caregiver at heart, Laura graduated from Brockville General

Hospital’s nursing program in 1949. She began her career at Brockville General,

Brockville Psychiatric, and Welland General Hospitals. In 1950, she joined St. Vincent De Paul Hospital, where she worked part- and full-time until her retirement in 1983. She spent most of her years in the Emergency Department, having transitioned there in 1966 after initially working in the Operating Room.

Laura passed away at Brockville General Hospital on July 3, 2019, at the age of 92.

She leaves behind a lasting legacy of kindness, care, and generosity to her sons and granddaughters.

EMBODYING THE SPIRIT OF IT'S NAMESAKE

Florence Nightingale Chapter 5, Order of the Eastern Star

Lynda Mielke proudly presents a cheque for $750 to the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation on behalf of the Florence Nightingale Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star — a group that continues to embody the spirit of its namesake more than a century later.

A heartfelt thank you to Lynda and her fellow members for their generous support and the joy they continue to bring to our community.

WAVE AT SOMEONE TODAY!

FOUNDATION NEWS & UPDATES

WELCOME TO THE TEAM ALEXIS & PAYTON!

Introducing our Summer Students

We welcome Alexis Yee to our team as our Summer Event Assistant!

Alexis has just completed her first year at Queen’s University where she is studying to earn her Bachelor of Science degree.

Alexis has been a member of the Brockville community her whole life. She played Brockville Angels Girls Hockey for eight years and attended St. Mary Catholic High School for her education. After university Alexis hopes to either pursue a career in the healthcare field or plans to attend law school.

Meet our Summer Administrative Assistant, Payton Birnie. Payton is a student at St. Lawrence College, studying Medical Office Administration. Born and raised in Brockville, Payton attended Ange Gabriel for elementary school and then switched to St. Mary’s from which she graduated from. She plans to pursue a career in the medical field.