• In December 2018, Christmas Spirit Awards were 

presented by the Foundation to two community 
recipients, Cathy Wamsley and Robert Luke. These 
individuals were nominated by community members 
and chosen by the board as persons who represent 
the Christmas Spirit – the spirit of giving throughout 
the year. 

• The Festival of Trees, in a joint partnership with 

Hermiston Kiwanis Club, is one of the most elegant 
and anticipated events of the year. In December 
2018, the Festival of Trees event was again well-
received, which included a formal dinner, and live 
and silent auction of trees, wreaths and stockings. 
The event raised over $43,000 from which $21,000 
was received by the Foundation as its share of the 
proceeds. These funds were used to supplement the 
health-related awards given to our communities in 
the form of grants and medical scholarships. 

• Grants are awarded twice each year (in October and 

April) to qualified non-profit organizations to benefit 
the health needs of our local communities. This 
fiscal year, grants totaling $148,225 were disbursed 
to seventeen organizations approved by the board. 
An additional $50,065 was awarded from the Mary 
Ellen Paul Trust and distributed to six designated 
organizations for health and educational purposes. 
The Foundation also directed the awarding of 
$22,797 from funds provided by Good Shepherd 
Auxiliary to support the work of various departments 
within the hospital.

• March 30th is designated annually as National Doctors 

Day. In April 2019, nineteen physicians and healthcare 
professionals were awarded special certificates of 
appreciation because of donations received by the 
Foundation in their behalf. This was an opportunity for 
community members to honor medical professionals 
who made a difference in their lives.

• In May 2019, the Foundation announced the 

awarding of $43,500 in medical scholarships to 29 
high school, college, and employee students seeking 
additional training. Among these recipients were 
students representative of most all local communities 
within our service area. These students are or will 
be attending 18 various colleges and universities 
throughout the country.

• In June 2019, the Foundation held the 26th Annual 

Scramble for Scholarships Golf Tournament at Big 
River Golf Course in Umatilla, Oregon. Over 100 
golfers participated and $32,000 in net proceeds 
was raised to give medical scholarships to local 
students.

• This fiscal year, Good Shepherd Student Foundation 

was particularly active in supporting the work of the 
Foundation and the hospital by means of volunteer 
services, the BottleDrop program, and enhancing 
the success of many other non-profit organizations 
within our communities. Many past service projects 
were the beneficiaries of their work.

• The Foundation Board of Directors are a professional 

and diverse group of volunteers, both working and 
retired, who give of their time with no monetary 
compensation to improve the health of our local 
communities. They serve on committees to organize 
and direct programs and projects that bring value to 
the work of the Foundation. The Fund Development 
Committee works to develop and implement new 
fundraising strategies beneficial to the health of our 
communities. The Awards Committee solicits and 
reviews applications for grants and scholarships to 
make recommendations for board approval. The 
Finance Committee oversees the financial stability 
and sustainability of the Foundation for the future. 
Each committee has been instrumental in the success 
of our work during the past fiscal year. 

At fiscal year-end, Good Shepherd Community  

Health Foundation had assets and equity of 

Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation is a 

grassroots philanthropic organization dedicated to making 

the northeast Oregon region a healthier, safer, happier, 

ever more stimulating place to live and raise our families.

$7,766,257

Foundation Accomplishments