Excellence in healthcare thanks to community support

After visiting Collingwood over 20 years ago, Jon and Karen Cheek knew this was where they wanted to live and build their lives and family. A few years after they moved, they welcomed their daughters, both born at CGMH. The exceptional care Karen and their babies received prompted their decision to donate to the CGMH Foundation and marked the beginning of their journey as supporters of the hospital. 

As donors, they began receiving updates on the impact of their gifts. The more Jon learned, the more he felt compelled to contribute further by offering his financial expertise. Jon began serving on the CGMH Foundation’s Planned Giving committee and eventually joined the CGMH Foundation’s Board of Directors, where he was an active member from 2015-2021. This opportunity gave Jon a real insight into how the CGMH Foundation operated. 

“The way the Foundation works is very strategic, with very well-defined roles and responsibilities for staff members and volunteers. They prioritize donor stewardship, and they take their job very seriously, always looking at maximizing the impact of donations.” says Jon.

As the years went by, Jon and his family continued receiving great care from the CGMH healthcare teams. “Recently, a family member was in the hospital and Dr. Akinyele was extremely compassionate, taking the time to explain what was going on. We felt like we were his only patients. Same with the nurses, they have been incredible over the years. I’d like to give a big shout out to Patti Grossmann in particular, who was absolutely exceptional,” recalls Jon. 

The more experiences Jon and Karen had with CGMH, the more they became involved as supporters. First, they added CGMH as a contingent beneficiary in their will and then they decided to join the Monthly Giving Club, providing reliable, consistent funds to equip the CGMH team with the tools and resources they need most. 

“We have to remember that CGMH is a small-town hospital, affecting people at different times throughout their lives. Having the best hospital equipment not only helps our doctors and nurses deliver better quality of care but it also helps recruit the best healthcare professionals. We have an excellent healthcare team here because of the supportive community that funds state-of-the-art equipment to CGMH. That is why Karen and I felt it was important to donate on a monthly basis.”

Jon Cheek