Steve Wahrlich

You may recognize Steve Wahrlich from his contributions to the improvement of downtown Billings over the years. What you may not know is that Steve has been the Chair of RiverStone Health Foundation Board of Directors since 2014. As one of the original members, he has served on the board since 2008 and also serves on the RiverStone Board of Health.

The Foundation board started in 2008 and hit the ground running with the “Today’s Comfort, Tomorrow’s Dignity” capital campaign, which raised $2.6 million to build the only hospice home in the region providing in-patient, full continuum care. Hospice was unfamiliar territory to Steve until 2004, when his mother entered hospice care in Colorado.

“Hospice care was invaluable for mom. There is no way to prepare to lose a parent. The experience with hospice helped guide us through the process of her passing,” Steve said. Steve’s passion and commitment made him an excellent chair of the successful campaign. RiverStone Health Hospice Home opened its doors 3 ½ years ago.

Steve enjoys being part of a community where

Improving Life, Health and Safety through PhilanthropyVolume 8 | Spring 2015

One of the social workers on the Hospice team wanted to expand our bereavement services and grief groups beyond traditional “talk therapy” into art therapy, which offers another avenue for expressing grief. Since no other adult grief groups in Billings centered on art therapy, it seemed like an important service to offer the community. For backing, she turned to the Foundation’s Mini Grant program, which receives quarterly requests from employees to support creative ideas and activities. The grants encourage innovation and excellence by providing seed money for new projects that further our mission to improve life, health and safety through philanthropy. Started in 2010, the Mini Grant program has spurred employees to try fresh approaches. In just over four years, the Foundation has received over 90 applications, funded 28 projects and awarded $15,000.

Sharing his story... Foundation Board Chair - Steve Wahrlich

individuals can affect change. He has been extremely active in promoting Billings and Montana tourism. He is involved in the Tourism Business Improvement District, Montana Lodging and Hospitality Association and the Billings Depot Board.

“I invest my time and resources in organizations that improve our community and that make a difference in downtown Billings. That has been my goal from Day One. That is why RiverStone Health Foundation is so important to me. We need to make sure quality healthcare is accessible to everyone within our community,” Steve said.

Steve’s fundraising background will lead RiverStone Health Foundation as we pursue initiatives to benefit RiverStone Health’s patients and clients.

Small but Mighty - Mini Grants benefiting patients

Carol Limbach, Jami Livengood, & Beth Emard Interested in volunteering, call us at 651.6555.

Mary Hernandez & Allen BlackfordFoundation Board Members

Jean Andersen & Lana Halvorson,

Volunteer Coordinator

Thank You! You helped raise

over $59,000 for the annual HELP fund

campaign.Your generous support helps provide care to nearly 21,000 patients we see every year in 35 different programs. RiverStone Health enhances the well-being of our community, in addition to serving as a comprehensive source of quality public and personal health services.

Our volunteers make it possibleA dedicated crew of 150 volunteers gift thousands of hours helping RiverStone Health Hospice provide

support to patients and their caregivers at end-of-life. Our volunteers provide companionship through reading, playing cards and other activities. They prepare snacks, run errands and offer respite breaks for caregivers.

Our volunteers also fundraise in support of two annual events benefitting

hospice – the Hospice Golf Tournament and Tree of Lights celebration. Last year, these two events netted

$77,000. RiverStone Health volunteers logged hundreds of hours planning the events, soliciting prizes, addressing invitations and ensuring our guests felt valued.

Our board members, another amazing group of volunteers, maintain focus on our mission and strategic direction. They set policy, identify funding resources, and uphold the public interest served by RiverStone Health and its Foundation.

RiverStone Health donors, volunteers and board members make our care offered to the community possible.

Each April, we celebrate National Volunteer Week. One way we honor our amazing volunteers is through a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, a small gesture of gratitude and thanks for all they make possible for the patients of RiverStone Health.

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A HUGE thank you to our donors!

$20,000 and aboveBillings ClinicElationRiverStone Health Employees

$10,000 and above Dr. Benjamin & Mary Lou MarchelloRadio BillingsSteve & Kathie ShanderaWhedon Cancer Foundation

$5,000 and aboveDr. Patrick & Carla CobbHancock EnterprisesHoiness Family FoundationDr. John M. JuristKULR 8 TelevisionThe Louvin FoundationJoy & Shane OttSanderson StewartLangdon & Joyce Williams

$2,500 and aboveDr. Hewes & Susan AgnewAvalon Consulting, Inc.Avior GroupBest Western Plus ClockTower InnDr. John & Patricia BurgCrowley Fleck PLLPDick Anderson Construction, Inc.Executive Property Services, Inc.Bob & Rocky FeldJim & Janet Haar

Johnstone Supply CompanyMontana Health Federal Credit UnionSt. Vincent HealthcareTed & Kate Williams

$1,000 and aboveDonna J. AdamsAllegra - Marketing Print MailAnonymousDr. Allen & Jill BlackfordCanyon Creek Memory Care CenterCapital Quest, Inc.Cremation & Funeral GalleryBrent & Dorothea CromleyAnne K. DietrichFirst Interstate BankCynthia L. FosterDr. Christopher & Amber GouletGreat Northern Drilling Co., Inc.Dr. Michael & Krystal HansenBucky & Geri Heringer Mary Hernandez & Patrick SmithPatrick & Rebecca HoughtonMark & Julie JacobsonDrs. Lawrence & Karen KleeDr. Stephen & Marilyn KramerRoni Kuzma & Brandon MurchDr. Brian & Stacey LaGrecaMailing Technical Services, Inc.Midland PrintingEd & Kris MillerBetty MosesPacificSource Health Plans

Phillips 66Dr. Donald & Carol RobertsWilliam & Laverne RoyerDr. Ron & Karin SmithSmith Funeral ChapelsState Liquor StoreMurray & Claude Marie SteinmanJan & Terry StottsTracy & Catherine WahrlichWipfli LLP

$500 and aboveA-1 Landscaping & NurseryAdvanced Care Hospital of MontanaAltana Federal Credit UnionLil Anderson & Alan Strange Mary ApplegateDiana BakerBig Sky Reporting Inc.Billings Clinic Home OxygenBillings Monument CompanyMargie & Gary BraachBreakfast Exchange Club of BillingsJanet M. CarpenterCTA Architects EngineersMichael & Janice DennisDOWL HKMEdmiston & Colton Law FirmEide Bailly LLPDr. Selmer M. EspelandCarolyn EuckerDr. Douglas Ezell & Sharon Christensen

Tom & Jean ForsethFQC Consulting Inc.General Distributing CompanyDora HannaRobert & Carolyn HunterJD & Lorna-Dee JohnsonRoyal C. JohnsonMary & Patrick KittsonBev J. KrauseDavid & Carol KuhnsLinda LarsenLes & Deborah MatternThomas MillerMotor Power EquipmentMoulton Bellingham PCDoug MullowneyNorthWestern EnergyKathy OtisPayneWest InsurancePPL Montana, LLCPride of Montana, Inc.Rocky Mountain Air & Lubrication, Inc.Sather & Holm PLLCPaige Spalding & James HummelC.B. TalbotSteve TerrellThompson PoolsTown Pump Charitable FoundationDavid Williams & Gina BradleyDr. Robert & Elizabeth WilmouthYellowstone Bank

RiverStone Health Foundation gratefully acknowledges the following contributors for demonstrating their commitment to RiverStone Health through generous donations made January 1 - December 31, 2014.

We are excited to announce we have partnered with Montana Health Federal Credit Union to issue a new Philanthropy Debit Card. As a card holder this is your chance to benefit RiverStone Health Foundation every time you make a purchase! With every swipe, a contribution (at no cost to you) is made to RiverStone Health Foundation. If you are a Montana Health FCU member, simply call and convert your existing debit card to the RiverStone Health Foundation debit card.

To become a member, you simply need to open checking and savings accounts with a minimum balance of $25 in the savings account. Both of these accounts are FREE, earn interest and have NO fees. And it is easy – you only need a valid ID to get set up. To open an account as a new member with Montana Health FCU you need to either work or volunteer in the medical field or have a family member that already has an account. Call Montana Health FCU at 406.259.2000 to get enrolled or answer your questions.

Swipe for RiverStone Health Foundation

Every attempt has been made to ensure this list is accurate. We regret any errors or omissions. Please contact us at 651.6555 so we may update our records.

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P.O. Box 1562 | Billings, MT 59103RiverStoneHealth.org | 406.651.6555

RiverStone Health Foundation

Hospice GOLF TOURNAMENT

Foundation Board Members Steve Wahrlich – Chair, Best Western Plus ClockTower InnRob Hunter – Secretary, First Choice HealthMary Hernandez – Treasurer, Invisage Consulting LLCAllen Blackford, DDS – Retired, Yellowstone Family DentalAshley Burleson – Crowley Fleck, PLLPMichael Dennis, PhD – Retired, MSU BillingsJohn Felton – RiverStone HealthBenjamin Marchello, MD – St. Vincent Frontier Cancer CenterAlex Martin – First Interstate BankJoann Powell – Wells Fargo Home MortgageRon Smith, MD – Retired, Billings ClinicBob Wilmouth, MD – Rocky Mountain College

Foundation StaffKristie Asay, cgpa – Executive DirectorKelly Schrock – Development CoordinatorMelissa Guaderrama – Administrative Assistant

Save the date...

June 5, 2015

Green OptionWant to receive this newsletter via email?Simply email us at: foundation@riverstonehealth.org, and we’ll add you to the list. By subscribing to our emails, you will occasionally hear from us about events and other happenings at RiverStone Health.

Want to learn about Endowment giving?Please contact Kristie Asay, Executive Director and Certified Gift Planning AssociateAnnouncementsMemorial Listing: Gifts given to honor Hospice patients are published quarterly and posted on the Foundation home page at RiverStoneHealth.orgThere is more happening at RiverStone Health than can fit in this newsletter. Stay up-to-date by liking our Facebook page.

Opt OutIf you no longer wish to receive communications from RiverStone Health Foundation, please call 800.398.9022 and ask for the Foundation. Contact us directly at 406.651.6555, or email us at foundation@riverstonehealth.org to unsubscribe.

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