Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce hosted its final luncheon of 2014 on Thursday, September 25, at the Butler County Extension Office. The sponsors for the month were the Commonwealth Health Foundation, Shannon Vitale and Jim and Darlene Johnson.  The meal was catered by Gone Fishin'. 

Native Butler Countian Shannon (Moore) Vitale, who currently serves as chairman of the Commonwealth Health Foundation, welcomed everyone to the luncheon. 
Commonwealth Health Foundation (CHF) is the philanthropic arm of Commonwealth Health Corporation, Medical Center. Since Commonwealth Health Foundation's inception, generous donors have contributed more than $19.3 million. The mission of CHF is to support the not-for-profit healthcare objectives of Commonwealth Health Corporation.

“We want you to know that the Medical Center is your hospital,” said Doris Thomas of the CHF staff.  Our goal is to care for people and improved the quality of service.”
Kathy Smith, of the CHF staff, explained the current CHF initiatives:

• The Medical Center-WKU Health Sciences Complex, which houses a patient simulation lab.

• Hospitality House- lodging facility designed to temporarily house qualified families of critically ill or injured patients at the Medical Center.  The house has served 41 Butler County families.

• Commonwealth Health Free Clinic- free health services

• Dental Clinic- free dental services

• A Vision for the Future-

• Warren Society- General Joseph Warren Society is a distinguished group of benefactors with a commitment of $10,000 or more.

• Charity Ball- fund raising event

• Make the Season Bright-People give donations for loved ones that are reflected in the lights on holiday trees on the Medical Center campuses.

• ECHO-Employees Contributing to Help Others

• Community Partnerships- Kohl’s, Atmos Energy, Woodmen of the World, BG Hot Rods, BG Women’s Club, and James W. Brite, Mary Carolyn Wolfe Brite, and Carrel K. Sumner scholarships

The guest speaker, WKU Provost Emeritus Dr. Barbara Bunch, shared her personal story of staying in a Hospitality House at Vandy for an extended period of time when her daughter was critically injured.
“The Hospitality House allowed me to be there for my daughter,” said Bunch.  The world didn’t stop, I could only see my daughter at limited times so I could actually work part–time from the Hospitality House.” 
Dr. Bunch came back to Bowling Green and has worked tirelessly to help secure a Hospitality House for the Medical Center.

CHF provided door prizes and a tote bag for everyone.