Saint Elizabeth Community, which last conducted a major capital campaign 15 years ago, publicly announced last Tuesday a $4.5 million campaign to address a series of projects.

During the “quiet” phase of the drive, $3.3 million has been raised in donations and pledges. The announcement was cause for celebration.

“The campaign’s success to date reflects generous gifts from many of you here tonight, and includes 100 percent board support; 100 percent leadership staff support; and outstanding employee participation, and gifts from other individuals, foundations and businesses,” said Craig Carpenter, who is the campaign co-chair with his wife Susan. The announcement was held at a reception attended by about 55 supporters at the Iron Works Tavern in Warwick.

“Craig and I are honored and privileged to be asked to chair ElderCare Redefined Capital Campaign because our family has benefited firsthand from the tender, compassionate and quality care provided by the Saint Elizabeth Community,” Sue Carpenter said.

According to Sharon Garland, chief philanthropy officer for Saint Elizabeth Community, planning for the campaign started in 2014 and following a feasibility study started in earnest in 2015. She applauded the response, saying 100 percent of the leadership staff made gifts or pledges and that the employee phase of the drive totaled $200,000.

She said there has been great support from “grateful family members” as well as the Champlin Foundations.

Garland could not place a date on the end of the campaign acknowledging, “It’s going to take some time to reach out to the community.”

Of the project to be undertaken, Saint Elizabeth Community Board President Philip Slocum is especially excited about Green House Homes that are nearing completion at the Saint Elizabeth Community campus in East Greenwich.

“This is going to change elder care in Rhode Island,” Slocum said. Built in clusters, Green House residents live in a private home setting and share a common group area. They participate in operations of the facility and, as Slocum points out, “enjoy all the benefits of a family. It’s so impressive.”

In addition to Green House Homes, the capital drive will fund a 10,000 square foot addition to Saint Elizabeth Manor in Bristol for a state-of-the-art rehab center with 21 private rooms and renovations to the central dining room; health, wellness and early memory care programs at Cornerstone Adult Day Centers and IT communications initiative across the Saint Elizabeth Community.

Steve Horowitz, president and CEO of Saint Elizabeth Community told the gathering “Eldercare Redefined will provide the organization with the resources to continue to be a leader in the provision of exceptional care to seniors.  It will fuel our continued drive to push the boundaries on what elder care is today, and will be in the years ahead.” 

He continued, “As a trusted and respected leader in our state, we will be poised to meet the needs of Baby Boomers as they age and deliver care and services to seniors when and where they want them.”