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Particularly in this election year the spotlight has been turned on our national health care system. Public and private sector providers and payers across our country are engaged in almost non-stop, intense and increasingly complex discussions regarding how best to ensure affordable, quality health care for the people of our nation. While the outcome of those discussions is still uncertain, one trend has clearly emerged. The role of private philanthropy will become an increasingly important source of support for health care in the foreseeable future. The work of our ministry foundations and the generosity of their communities remain indispensable in ensuring our ability to improve the health of our communities, care for the underserved, conduct research and expand the range of services and facilities we provide. Fortunately, this year as in years past, our foundations and their supporters have proven to be more than up to the challenge. For more than 90 years the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, to extend the healing ministry of Jesus, has inspired our ministries. Once again, their selfless service has inspired unparalleled generosity in the communities we serve. In spite of the national economic downturn and stock market decline of the past year, our 10 ministry foundations raised more than $45 million, exceeding our goal by more than $3 million. During this eighth year of our nine-year planning cycle, we surpassed our cumulative nine-year fundraising goal of $269 million achieving a total of more than $300 million to date. As a result of those efforts, more than $28 million was provided for the direct use of our ministries for capital improvements, care for the poor and other “community benefit” projects during the past year. A number of critical campaigns were brought to successful conclusion in FY 2007. Those include a $50 million campaign by the Mission Hospital Foundation, the $18 million Cancer Center Campaign by the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation (Orange) and Santa Rosa Memorial Foundation’s $15 million campaign. The St. Jude Memorial Foundation is currently within $4 million of reaching their $50 million campaign goal scheduled to be completed later this year. Two new campaigns were launched this year including a $12.5 million campaign at St. Joseph Eureka and a $10 million “new hospital” campaign by the St. Mary Hospital Foundation. According to Chinese philosopher Lao-Tse, “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profundity. Kindness in giving creates love.” Thank you for your hard work and remarkably kind gifts. May you experience the full measure of God’s love and the love of your communities in the year ahead. Sincerely, |