WMC Foundation kicks off Commemorative Fund for Community Mental Health

(Left to right): WMC Foundation chair Justin Gullekson, WMC Foundation donor Mildred Jacobsen, WMC Foundation Board member Arlene Houlihan

2013 is the 100th anniversary of when Washington Prairie pastor Rev. Paul Koren raised enough money to start the construction of a hospital in Decorah.

The Winneshiek Medical Center Foundation is observing the anniversary by creating the WMC Commemorative Fund for Community Mental Health.  The WMC Commemorative Fund for Community Mental Health will support mental health services in the WMC service area.

Decorah resident Mildred Jacobson--the great grand-niece of the "Chief Donor" of that first hospital, William H. Smith--has made a $10,000 donation to the hospital in memory of her parents, Paul and Leila Headington, to kick off the fundraising for the Commemorative Fund.

An additional $2,500 has been raised, meaning the medical center is exactly half way to reaching the $25,000 goal for the commemorative fund.