SANTA PAULA : Hospital Fund Drive Passes Halfway Point

Contributions to a $500,000 fund-raising campaign by the financially beleaguered Santa Paula Memorial Hospital have passed the halfway point, with nearly $300,000 donated so far, hospital officials said Thursday.

Hospital officials said they kicked off the campaign March 1 to help stem losses suffered over the last several years and to buy the hospital time until a national health-care policy is in place.

The campaign was given a large boost by the cities of Fillmore and Santa Paula, whose residents depend on the hospital for emergency care. The Fillmore City Council voted to donate $109,000 in federal grant money to the hospital, while the Santa Paula council contributed a $35,000 grant.

About 150 individuals and companies have also contributed to the drive, including gifts of $10,000 by Calavo Growers of California and $5,000 by Sunkist Growers, both Santa Paula companies. “If the hospital were to fold, the nearest emergency facility would be 14 miles away,” said Everett (Corky) Taylor of Calavo Foods.

Another agricultural company, PanAmerican Seed of Santa Paula, has donated 1,000 plants, which will be sold to the public by the hospital’s Ladies Auxiliary beginning Tuesday, Ledbetter said. Also among the contributors are half of the hospital’s 200 employees, who have agreed to donate a total of $2,000 a month from their salaries, said hospital publicist Wilma Allen.

Fund-raising events will continue to be held by area companies and civic groups after the drive’s official conclusion May 15, said Russ Hardison, chairman of the hospital’s board of directors.