There is something to be said about the big hearts of people who live in small towns and what they can accomplish.

In High River and the surrounding area, one of the very best things is the support the community gives to the High River Hospital Foundation.

The Foundation hosted their Annual Donor Appreciation Event on Wednesday, March 22 to celebrate the past year.

While there were big donations made to the Foundation, the smaller ones are very important.  Cathy Couey, Fund Development and Communications Officer with the Foundation says people will often drop off a donation and say it's not much, but they wanted to help.

 And in fact every little bit does help.

"I just really wanted everyone to know no matter how large or small their gift is it does really incredible things," said Couey.

And small gifts are very important.

In 2016 the Foundation received 1,127 donations of $500 or less, and the total came to a whopping $148,702.80.

"So that is a pretty impressive number, when you look at what we can do with that," said Couey.

Keeping the Operating Rooms active is one of the focuses of the Foundation right now as the Hospital has grown from eight surgeons to 20 visiting surgeons.

The OR suites are going full time five days a week.

"We are purchasing scopes, monitors, various equipment for the operating rooms, and also for serializing and processing systems so we can keep getting people through."

The Foundation is also working with the High River Legion to add a special room to the long term care unit.

"A transition room, where we can welcome new residents and their families to the unit and when they are about to face their end-of-life journey they can take that journey together.

We are excited to offer that to our residents. It is something that is really needed, it is a busy unit.  Any of us that have experienced the loss of someone you know, you know how important it is to spend some time with that person in a quiet setting."

The Cancer Centre was the big ticket project item.

"Since its opening they have seen more patient visits then they have ever seen.

The Foundation funded $1,837,235 for health care equipment and programs in 2016, with the largest portion going to the Cancer Centre.

They have commitments of $659,685 to future projects.

Since 1986 they have raised $8,365,162.

Revenue highlights from 2016 include:

 - High River Rotary Club final installment for the Cancer Centre $253,010

 - Dinner and Auction net revenue for keeping the OR active $85,334

 - Cattle and Grain program revenue $55,372

 - Tate's Lemonade Stand $14,346

 - Cargill Charity Golf Tournament $31,208

 - Partnership with the High River Hospital Auxiliary $85,982

 - Bequests, Estates and Memorial donations $36,364