During its annual meeting, the Lompoc Hospital District Foundation presented a $100,000 donation to Lompoc Valley Medical Center toward the purchase of a patient monitoring system to be used in the hospital’s operating suite. The check was accepted by CEO Steve Popkin.

The patient monitoring system will be used in the surgical area and will sync with the patient monitoring equipment on the patient care floor.

“It will enhance our patient care throughout the hospital,” Popkin said.

“These past two years have had a lot of impact on this foundation — no lectures, no activities, no Flower Valley Golf Classic, no events,” said foundation president Alice Milligan said. “Last month we came to life. We sponsored a Colorthon. More than 300 people turned out and were just waiting for us. They were hungry for action. Now we’re ready to go for more action. We’re ready to go.”

The next planned major event for the 31-year-old foundation is the Flower Valley Golf Classic, May 20, at the Mission Club in Vandenberg Village.

During the annual meeting, the foundation’s officers were announced. They are:

President: Alice Milligan 
Vice President: Jim Raggio
Treasurer: Gary Williams 
Secretary: Christine Fanello
New trustee: Steve Popkin

Foundation Membership Chairperson Heather Woolsey noted that the nonprofit now has 4,157 members. She indicated that the foundation is also participating in the global Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30, to encourage people to give back to their communities in a variety of ways.

Tyler Perry, development and finance chairman, said the Oct. 30 Colorthon 5K at the Mission Club raised $24,000. Perry thanked all the sponsors, as well as the Mission Club for their generosity.

“Seeing the amount of donations, you can just tell the community knows that this is a great organization to support,” Perry said. “I know it’s been a quiet couple of years, but now we move forward from that and maybe this next year makes up for the last two.”

Milligan also honored foundation coordinator Christine Fanello, who is retiring. Milligan spoke about the coming year and hopes for more fundraising. An annual appeal letter will soon be mailed, with a $100,000 goal toward the purchase of a new MRI for Lompoc Valley Medical Center.

“Nothing’s going to stop this foundation,” Milligan said.

For more about the foundation and ways to participate, volunteer or donate, visit lhdfoundation.org.