Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Dickens.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Early History The history of Four County Community Foundation begins with the history of its predecessor organization, Community Hospital Foundation. In the early 1930s, Dr. G. Clare Bishop began his Almont practice in an upstairs office downtown. The need for a hospital in town was apparent: broken bones, comas, surgery, births – all things not easily handled in his office, and a long, slow, sometimes painful ride to have treated. Dr. Bishop used a room in his home at 409 E St. Clair in Almont as a hospital. As the need for beds increased, additional rooms were converted for hospital use. When the family moved, the home on E St. Clair became the Bishop Hospital. As the population of the area increased, Dr. Bishop and local businessman James D. Ligon realized something should be done. They worked together to organize the effort to build a local hospital. Incorporated in 1953, the Community Hospital Foundation began raising money to build a hospital to serve the health needs of residents of northeast Oakland, northwest Macomb, southwest St. Clair, and southeast Lapeer Counties. Area residents and businesses were challenged with collecting funds to design, build, and equip a 32-bed hospital to be located near the center of its service area. Construction was started with groundbreaking ceremonies on Van Dyke Road between Almont and Romeo in 1957. The hospital was officially opened on January 5, 1959. The cost of the facility was estimated to be $715,000, of which all but $92,000 was raised by gifts from the people and businesses operating in the community.
Operations and Closing
The new hospital was soon very busy, often filled to near capacity with patients, and usually with several newborn babies in the nursery. The operating room of Bishop Hospital had been on the second floor, and patients were carried on stretchers up the steep stairs. Surgery in the new hospital was now much easier on both staff and patients. The hospital operated profitably for about 25 years. St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital offered to purchase the Community Hospital and continue to operate a healthcare facility. The Community Hospital Foundation officers decided to accept their offer of approximately $2,500,000. It was then left to Board President Ed Risch and the Trustees to determine the best use of the proceeds. The Board agreed that money which had been raised in the local communities should continue to benefit those communities. To do that, they decided to create a charitable foundation. To many of these good people this was a sad ending. They were aware that the money would stay to benefit their communities, but “community foundation” was a new concept to them. What it could do, who would administer it, how long would it last? Many unanswered questions clouded their view. It is our sincere hope that they, and all who read this, will be satisfied with and proud of the heritage we at Four County Community Foundation continue to insure.
Helping Our Community Grow
Every effort has been made to acknowledge the many participants and various communities involved in making the Four County Community Foundation successful as it endeavors to serve the community. It is this legacy of involvement and devotion which continues to inspire the Board and Staff of Four County Community Foundation. Now, in 2022, Four County Community Foundation is celebrating its 35th year. The $2.5 million original endowment from the hospital sale has grown to more than $20 million. In 35 years, the Foundation has invested $11 million back into the community through grants and scholarships. Over 145 funds have been created to support various charitable purposes. By bringing together the resources of individuals, families, and businesses, Four County Community Foundation creates a permanent source of community capital that can benefit our local region forever. We are proud to continue our service to the corners of Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties with the same commitment as the Hospital Foundation members that built the Community Hospital in 1958.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our greatest struggle has been to have our work known. We are often referred to as a “hidden gem.” We truly wish for our communities to know we are here to support them!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
OUR MISSION
The Foundation is dedicated to bringing together human and financial resources to support progressive ideas in education, health, community, youth, and adult programs.
The Foundation provides a secure, flexible vehicle for individuals, families, foundations, and organizations to positively impact the quality of life in our community.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Four County Community Foundation is always looking for:
*Volunteers to review scholarship and grant applications
*Community members to let us know about urgent needs in the community
*Civic organizations and other foundations that we can partner with on larger needs such as affordable housing, mental health, early literacy, transportation, job development, etc.
*Donors to 4CCF to keep our projects and granting moving in the right direction!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.4ccf.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4ccf/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4CountyCommunityFoundation/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/four-county-community-foundation/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwMu9NctTBfzEKhnHQpENlQ/featured
