Nov. 13, 2007/- On Remembrance Day, we honoured our Veterans for their sacrifice and service in two world wars, Korea and in peacekeeping operations around the world. Now, the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation is honouring veterans for their work supporting our health care here at home.

“Individual Veterans and the Royal Canadian Legion have played a key role in the development of our hospitals,” said Roger Wright, Chair of the Foundation – the fundraising arm of Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care. “Their donations have helped us buy critical new equipment, build new facilities and fund new programs. On Remembrance Day, we thanked our Veterans for serving our country, and now we are thanking them for supporting our hospitals.”

To honour all Veterans for their contribution “The Veteran” is being named a Foundation Ambassador. The Foundation’s Ambassador program tells the stories of patients, donors and staff members. Only a dozen Ambassadors have been selected since the program began in January. Veterans are the first group to become an Ambassador. Legion District G Commander Bert Diamond will represent all Veterans for the Ambassador program.

“I’m very pleased that Veterans have been named to be a part of the Foundation’s Ambassador program, and I am honoured to represent all Legion members. We have always supported our hospitals and will continue to do so,” said Diamond.

The Legion and individual veterans have been one of the hospitals’ most steadfast donors. The Legion’s Foundation, local branches and poppy trust funds have contributed more than $500,000 to the hospitals in the last decade. Individual Veterans have likely contributed hundreds of thousands more. Recent donations from the Legion have helped Kingston’s hospitals purchase a specialized camera for pediatric ophthalmology at Hotel Dieu Hospital; surgical beds, monitors, and a defibrillator at KGH; and electric beds at Providence Manor.

Brochure from KGH Victory Campaign in the late 1940s. Returning Veterans from the Second World War supported the develpment of our hospitals.