May 17, 2007/- Kingston Community Credit Union (KCCU) is marking its 50th anniversary by making a special $250,000 donation to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the fundraising arm for Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care (formerly Providence Continuing Care Centre). The funds will be used to benefit patients’ access to surgical care at KGH by purchasing a fully-equipped ICU room and the latest surgical sterilization equipment.

“This is a special gift because it’s from the 10,000 members of KCCU,” said Roger Wright, Chair of the Foundation. “KCCU members are our neighbours, friends and family. They believe in our community and in our hospitals. We thank them for their support and commitment.”

In 2005, KGH had more than 60,000 emergency room visits, almost 18,000 admissions and more than 5,000 surgeries. More than 700 people required care in the Intensive Care Unit, including people from communities across Southeastern Ontario.

“We will all need the care of our local hospitals at some point in our lives, we can think of no way to better share our success in a meaningful way to help our community,” said Robert Trentadue, President of the KCCU Board of Directors. “This is the most significant initiative our Credit Union has ever undertaken and it signifies a new level for us in the community, one we are proud to have reached.”

Over the past five years KCCU and its staff have donated over $750,000 back to the local community. These donations have focussed on charitable, non-profit, co-operative and local community organizations. KCCU is part of the Imagine Program (a Caring Company) wherein they commit to donating at least one percent of their pre-tax profits to charitable organizations each year. They have consistently exceeded their commitment.

Kingston Community Credit Union was founded in 1957 as the Kingston Civic Employees Credit Union in an office in City Hall where members put in 50 cents apiece. Today, the community credit union has over $70 Million in assets, and over $5 Million in reserves and capital, employing 35 people and serving over 10,000 members with its three branches at 18 Market Street, 795 Gardiners Road. at Taylor-Kidd and now in Kingslake Plaza (beside Shoppers Drug Mart) at 1201 Division Street. More information on KCCU is available online at www.kccu.ca.

University Hospitals Kingston Foundation is the fundraising arm for Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care (formerly Providence Continuing Care Centre) in 2005, the Foundation raises money for programs, equipment, education and research that benefit the 500,000 people in Kingston and Southeastern Ontario served by the three teaching hospitals. To find out more about giving opportunities or to make a donation call 613-549-5452 or toll-free 866-549-5452 or go online to www.kingstonhospitalsfoundation.ca.

Contact:
University Hospitals Kingston Foundation
John Suart
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Phone: (613) 549-5452 Ext. 5908
Mobile: (613) 583-3062
Email: john.suart@uhkf.ca