Angola, Ind. – The Cameron Hospital Foundation announced today that it has received its first business contribution to assist with funding for the new Cameron Memorial Community Hospital facility. First Federal Savings Bank of Angola recently announced that they are pledging $100,000 toward construction of a “Healing Garden” at the south entrance of the new building. “As I was preparing my presentation to the Board of our bank regarding our gift to Cameron Hospital, I reviewed the various sponsorship opportunities that had been suggested. I requested Board approval for a donation of $100,000,” said President George Gilbert. First Federal has a longstanding relationship with the hospital as its neighbor as does its President, George Gilbert. Gilbert served on the Cameron Foundation Board in the late 1980’s when the hospital was going through its last capital campaign for improvements. He also served for six years on the Cameron Hospital Board, serving as Board President toward the end of his term. This seems like a natural position for a man whose whole life began in this little corner of Steuben County. George Gilbert’s parents, Roger and Wilma Gilbert lived at 409 E. South Street, which is now part of the new Cameron Hospital campus. The Gilberts lived there until Roger passed away in 2000. Wilma Gilbert served as an active member of the Cameron Hospital Auxiliary for over twenty five years. She moved to Cameron Woods in 2009 (she since passed away in 2011). “I’ll always think it was more than mere coincidence that the ‘Healing Garden’ was one of the projects available to sponsor,” said Gilbert. The new “Healing Garden” will be constructed in what was once his parent’s back yard, where, for many years, his mother tended a fairly large and beautiful flower garden, and his father took care of grape vines and tomato plants. “My parents would always stop what they were doing in the garden and watch the Samaritan helicopter arrive and take off,” said Gilbert. He noted, “this ground had been a place of quiet, simple pleasures for a long time.” Gilbert was very pleased, but not surprised that the First Federal Board of Directors gave enthusiastic approval to the funding request for the hospital. “I was truly humbled, though, when it was suggested and then directed that the bank’s gift be designated to the ‘Healing Garden’ and made ‘In loving memory of Roger and Wilma Gilbert’,” said Gilbert. “What a wonderful tribute!” First Federal Savings Bank of Angola is Steuben County’s oldest and only locally operated financial institution. Founded in 1933 by a group of local businessmen, the bank’s business philosophy has remained the same—to provide the best possible customer service in all their product offerings. “This early gift from our neighbor is very significant to us,” said Greg Burns, President & CEO. “This contribution further validates our decision as an organization to remain in our current location and support our downtown area.” For more information, call (260) 665-2141 ext. 2337. 

 Pictured: (Left to right) Amy Ross, Senior Vice President, First Federal Savings Bank, Scott Gruner, Vice President, First Federal Savings Bank, Chris Snyder, Cameron Foundation Board President, George Gilbert, First Federal Savings Bank President, and Greg Burns, Cameron Hospital President & CEO. The group is standing on the land that will serve as the “Healing Garden” when the new hospital is built.