A group of summer camps in western Maine recently showed their appreciation for Bridgton Hospital by helping purchase a stretcher for the hospital to use for LifeFlight helicopter operations.
Arleen Shepherd, director of Camp Skylemar in Naples, contacted 12 other summer camps in the Bridgton area, encouraging them to participate in a fundraiser for the equipment. To express their gratitude to the team members at Bridgton Hospital for all they do to care for their young campers, the 13 camps donated $13,500 to the hospital.
Shepherd said that while summer camp can be a great place for kids to learn, accidents and illnesses can and do happen.
“Bridgton Hospital is especially important to summer camps in the surrounding area, “Shepherd said. “Unfortunate things can happen anywhere, especially when you have so many kids living and playing together. When something happens, we depend on the wonderful Bridgton doctors, nurses and technicians of the ER.
“Bridgton Hospital provides us with 24-hour-a-day healthcare, with a collection of professionals who truly care about helping each individual in need. The staff is kind, compassionate and professional, and everyone is especially understanding of the summer camp industry.”
Amander Wotten, RN, ED nurse leader at Bridgton Hospital, said the hospital has been looking for a way to fund a special stretcher for patients who have to be flown to another facility. The new stretcher will allow team members to safely move critically injured patients from the hospital’s Emergency Department to a LifeFlight air ambulance.
“The generosity to help, not just those they work with, but the entire Lakes Region community speaks to their hearts and genuine appreciation for the wonderful team here at Bridgton Hospital. For that- I am grateful,” Wotton said.