It’s always special when an organization takes the time to honor its staff, but it’s even more special when an organization recognizes its team in a meaningful, long-lasting way. On Tuesday, March 28, Northwest Health- Porter made a $5,000 donation to the Valpo Parks Foundation in honor of its medical staff.
Each year, Northwest Health celebrates National Doctor's Day by doing something special for its physicians. This year, though, Northwest Health wanted to do something a bit different.
“We really wanted to find a special way to honor our physicians this year. They do so much for our community and mean a tremendous amount to the organization,” said Northwest Health CEO Ashley Dickinson.
Northwest Health decided there was no better way to honor its physicians than by making a donation in their names to a cause that would benefit the community for years to come. The physicians took a vote and decided they wanted to donate to Valpo Parks.
“The parks fit so nicely with the mission of our organization. We’re very focused on health and wellness not only for our patients, but for our staff and the entire community. It’s so important to have healthy park systems throughout our communities to help drive health,” said Dickinson.
The donation will specifically go towards the new 15,000-square-foot skatepark that Valpo Parks just broke ground on. The skatepark project is truly one of a kind--it will feature a variety of elements such as a mini ramp, a bowl, street features, and plenty of seating. It will even be accessible for wheelchair athletes.
A project this incredible requires a lot of community support, and Valpo Parks has been working hard to find that support. Northwest Health’s generosity couldn’t be more perfectly timed.
“We’ve been working really hard on this project. We’re just starting to break ground, so receiving this donation is just wonderful timing. We have over 150 partners working to raise over a million dollars for this park and we’re so excited to get it started,” said John Siebert, executive director of Valpo Parks.
“We’ve had partnerships with Northwest Health before, but to be involved in this special day of philanthropy with the physicians themselves is just another level of connection with them that we haven’t had before. This was supposed to be a special recognition of the doctors and their service to the community, but they used that spotlight to partner with us, and we’re very privileged to be a part of that,” said Siebert.
Valpo Parks is ultimately incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with Northwest Health and none of this would have been possible without their continued support.
“We are so thankful for Northwest Health and how it serves our communities. We’re thankful for Northwest Health’s administration, its associates, and its medical staff for all the work they do to make our communities a better place,” said Siebert.
It’s amazing to see all the good that can come from something as simple as an organization honoring its employees. For Northwest Health and its physicians, though, this donation has become about more than just that honor--it’s become about making a difference.
“Valpo Parks’ leadership has been instrumental and we are just so proud of all the work they have done to build and maintain world-class parks here in Valparaiso. We’re proud to partner with them,” said Dickinson.
To learn more about Northwest Health and Valpo Parks, visit their websites at nwhealthin.com and valpoparks.org.
