Heather Grimes is excited to meet the folks in New London and to guide the future efforts of The Wolf River Area Healthcare Foundation (WRAHF).
“This is an organization with such a compelling mission that I was very interested in pursuing,” said Grimes, who has been with the organization for two months.
Prior to WRAHF, she served as the senior director of development at the Green Bay Boys and Girls Club and executive director for the Boys and Girls Club in Janesville.
Being at the WRAHF has allowed Grimes to return to her roots. She hails from the Greenville area and as a mother of two, “I had a strong desire to raise my kids close to home in a smaller community.”
Grimes, who replaces former director Deborah Johnson, said she welcomes the new challenges with fundraising and marketing efforts for the WRAHF. “I have dedicated my career to nonprofit work and though there are many similarities with my past professional work, I look forward to the new opportunities and growth this position will provide.” she said. “ThedaCare is just an incredible organization and the foundation’s mission is something I can really passionately grasp on to.”
She has a connection to the healthcare organization too. Her father had a few heart surgeries with ThedaCare and she saw how “state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and expertise can make a difference in care.”
Grimes believes in the foundation’s mission to support New London Family Medical Center in acquiring state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and education “so people can stay local.”
She looks forward to continuing the work the foundation has done these last 10 years. For instance, events like the Sturgeon Shuffle and annual dinner will remain, but the foundation plans to define new projects. She also hopes to focus on the future of annual campaigns, planned giving and building stronger relationships with the community. Grimes recognizes the challenges that are ahead but believes that her experience, passion and energy make her the right person to move the WRAHF to the next level.
And she is eager to see that the dollars raised are going to the best uses for the hospital and community. “Now that I have been here for a few months, I am ready to jump in and get to know the community as well as build strong relationships with our donors,” she also added. “It’s really great to step into an organization with such a passionate and dedicated board.”
The Wolf River Area Healthcare Foundation was founded in 2003. Its mission is to seek and secure financial resources that ensure New London Family Medical Center has state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, outreach and education. New London Family Medical Center and the Wolf River Area Healthcare Foundation serve Waupaca, Outagamie and surrounding counties.
