For anyone who had the chance to drive by the East Kootenay Regional Hospital last year during December and January, you may remember the spectacular stars that lit up the roof line of the hospital.

The stars are part of an annual holiday fundraiser that promotes the celebration of health care by making a financial donation to an area of care or a health care facility in their local community.

The Starlite Campaign for Excellence in Health Care is a three-year partnership between the EKCCU and its locations in Cranbrook, Fernie and Elkford and the East Kootenay Foundation for Health.

The inaugural campaign was a resounding success with a first year fundraising goal of $50,000 achieved in just three short weeks.  By the end of the campaign in January 2009 generous donors from all over the East Kootenay had sent gifts totalling $55,000 to various areas of care and Interior Health facilities.  

"We used to do a festival of trees, but that became rather laborious," said Donna Grainger, EKFH’s Executive Director. "We came up with a plan of stars as a way to participate in the City light up and to honour our wonderful donors."

Last year, 10 Stars were lit up - four from accumulated donations and the other six from donations from organizations.

This year the regional hospital will see the erection of 17 hand-crafted stars completing the hospital roof line.  East Kootenay Foundation for Health has also set a second year fundraising goal of $85,000.

All 17 Stars will be lit up on Friday, November 27 in conjunction with the City of Cranbrook's light up celebration.

“We understand that with the economic climate adding more stars and raising our fundraising goal is a bit challenging,” stated Grainger.  “However, people from all of the East Kootenay communities are incredibly generous when it comes to giving. There is an on-going need for equipment in our hospitals, seniors’ facilities and programs so a gift to health care is something that can really make a difference to many people living here.”

 A donation of $25 or more lights one bulb and for every $5,000 a Star will be lit with a goal of reaching $85,000 by the end of January.   Donors are encouraged to make a donation in memory or honour of a loved one and/or direct their gift to a health care facility in their community or to a special area of interest (i.e. cancer, palliative care, children, etc.).  A tax-deductible donation to EKFH’s Starlite Campaign will help to maintain funding to continue to provide excellence in health care through the East Kootenay.    Donate online at www.ekfh.ca, in person at East Kootenay Foundation for Health or at East Kootenay Community Credit Union in Cranbrook, Fernie and Elkford.

As the Star sponsor, EKCCU will launch the second Annual Starlite Campaign by lighting the first of 17 beautifully handcrafted stars atop the East Kootenay Regional Hospital for all to enjoy. 

EKFH holds over 30 funds in trust for all health care facilities in the East Kootenay, including Golden and area, the Columbia Valley, Cranbrook/Kimberley, the Elk Valley and Creston and District.