AMH goal of $3 million for phase one is closer

Alleghany Memorial Hospital is almost three-fourths of the way to its fundraising goal for construction scheduled to begin this spring. As of Monday, the "New Legacy Challenge" campaign had raised $2,199,000 toward its $3 million goal for phase one construction, according to Deborah Yarborough, the hospital's foundation director.

Of that figure, half a million has been raised within the last two months. The lion's share of the increase came via a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust of Winston-Salem.

According to a release from AMH, hospital CEO Jim Yarborough announced that $250,000 grant award earlier this month.

Jim Yarborough commented, "AMH has continued to offer quality health care to the surrounding communities during the past 50 years and the grant from Kate B. Reynolds (foundation) will give us additional resources to enhance the services we now offer and prepare our facilities for the next 50 years of services."

Deborah Yarborough said the public "buy a brick" campaign has thus far collected $6,975, which computes to 279 contributions of $25 per brick. That figure does not include some bricks which were purchased for physicians and other AMH staff members in lieu of gifts during the holidays.

She said some bricks have been purchased by groups such as school organizations and the United Methodist Women. Bricks are still available for purchase.

Yarborough said construction is scheduled to start in early spring. Phase one will include a new emergency room, two operating room suites, two labor-delivery-postpartum rooms and one four-bed specialty care unit.

Total cost of phase one is $4 million, with the remaining million to come through grants and low-interest loans.

She said the $4 million figure covers everything, including furniture and equipment.

Subsequent phases are to include construction of a new registration/admission area, expanding the radiology department and otherwise renovating space vacated in phase one.

Yarborough has said the construction is being done in phases to keep from disrupting services.

Phase one is expected to take 10 to 12 months, she commented, with the entire project lasting 24 to 30 months.

"I think we're going real well with our fundraising," said Sparta Mayor John H. Miller.

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