Hauenstein Funding Proceeds With Gifts

GRAND RAPIDS — Just as the last steel beam was put in place earlier this month for the HauensteinCenter at Saint Mary's Health Care, the final pieces of the fundraising puzzle are coming together as well.

Michelle Rabideau, executive director of Saint Mary's Doran Foundation, said the foundation has given $500,000 and the Meijer Foundation provided "a significant gift," toward the $15 million HauensteinCenter fundraising campaign. She declined to disclose the amount provided by the Meijer Foundation.

Rabideau said that before the end of the year, fundraising efforts will turn to the public for the $60 million building, which will house neuroscience services and a new emergency room when it opens in 2009. She said she hopes the public phase will raise $2 million.

About 75 donors, including lead supporter Ralph Hauenstein, signed the final steel beam.