Up for the Challenge
Hal and Lisa DuBois are respected members of the Portage County community, both as longtime owners of Ohio college campus bookstores and as stewards of the DuBois Family Foundation, which generously supports area community services.
Last week, on Giving Tuesday, the DuBois Family Foundation offered to match every donation to University Hospitals Portage Medical Center made through the foundation-led Ohio Health Hunt Initiative, up to $10,000. The family’s generosity spurred a 24-hour giving campaign at UH Portage unlike any in its history.
“We established the Ohio Health Hunt Initiative to rally support for donations for the personal protective equipment so critically needed in hospitals everywhere. We know about the good work done daily at UH Portage Medical Center, and wanted to help frontline workers who are giving so selflessly during this unprecedented time,” said Hal DuBois. The DuBois’ challenge served as a catalyst that resulted in more than $25,000 raised in one day for Portage County’s only hospital.
"Through the generosity of the DuBois family and coordinated emails and phone calls to members of the Portage community, including UH board members, medical personnel, staff and volunteers, the many friends of UH Portage came forward without hesitation. Their collective response has been nothing short of overwhelming,” according to Shawn Gordon, Senior Development Officer and Executive Director, Portage Medical Center Foundation.
University Hospitals is grateful to all individuals and organizations willing to help our caregivers, patients and community during the COVID-19 crisis. Community response and caregiver support funds have been established to support the extensive patient care, medical supplies, research and education needs.