Steve Stricker donates $100,000 to Edgerton Hospital
Photo 
Site of the new Edgerton Hospital
EDGERTON — The future Edgerton Hospital got a big financial boost Thursday from professional golfer Steve Stricker.
Stricker, an Edgerton native, donated $100,000 to the Edgerton Capital Foundation, the hospital's fundraising organization, officials announced.
The contribution came as the capital foundation is working to raise $1.5 million over the next three years to match a Federal Housing Administration loan that's funding most of the $26 million cost of the 18-bed Edgerton Hospital. The facility is under construction on Sherman Road on Edgerton's east end.
With Stricker's donation Thursday, the capital foundation has collected a total of $180,000 toward matching the loan for the hospital project—well short of the $500,000 it had hoped to raise this year, hospital officials said.
Jim Schultz, hospital board chairman, said he hopes Stricker's contribution will give the fundraising campaign a shot in the arm.
"We're doing well in light of the economy to put up a nice new facility like this," Schultz said. "With Steve (Stricker) being here and with others seeing his commitment, we're hoping the (campaign's) personal ask phase is going to go a lot smoother and easier."
Fred Falk, the capital foundation's chairman, said the foundation is interviewing candidates for a new director and is planning an end-of-the year push for donations for the hospital project.
Stricker spoke briefly at an appearance at the new hospital Thursday, thanking hospital officials for the chance to give back to his hometown. He declined further comment on his donation.
Hospital CEO Jim Pernau said he was surprised when he learned a few days ago that Stricker planned to make the donation.
"This is huge. It really helps us. To have Steve's support is wonderful. This is a young guy who made good and still remembered his hometown. I'm standing in admiration," Pernau said.
Construction at Edgerton Hospital is about 35 percent complete, with the facility targeted for completion in fall 2011, said Sunny Bowditch, a hospital spokeswoman.
The hospital will offer inpatient and outpatient care along with physical, occupational and speech therapy, cardiac rehab, acute care, swing bed care, surgery, wound care and emergency and urgent care.
Nov 25, 2010 at 9:18 a.m.
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I would like to thank Steve for his generous donation to the Edgerton Hospital. I would also like to point out something the general public that they may not know about the hospital. Back in the day, the Edgerton Hospital and Long Term Care (nursing home)were one entity, they are not any longer. So, if you have made a donation to the "Edgerton Hospital" and thought that a part of it was going to help build a new nursing home as well, it didn't. Donations to help build a new nursing home need to be made separately to Edgerton Care Center.
Nov 14, 2010 at 6:19 p.m.
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Gogreen is more than willing to tell others what the right thing to do is with the money they have made and how they should do it. Can a future in government be far off for him/her?
Nov 14, 2010 at 7:24 a.m.
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GoGreen.....Steve is very generous to his hometown and their citizens (not just the hospital), to his university, to UW, etc. As I said in my earlier post, knowing (personally) two of the three "officials" mentioned, I am positive that THEY are the ones who contacted the media, NOT Steve. Steve prefers to do things in a humble, quiet manner.
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:52 p.m.
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As many have pointed out, Steve is a very humble man. He probably wanted to give quietly (as you noticed he declined to comment further). He has given to many charitable organizations, but does so without mention. Knowing two of the three officials mentioned, I am sure that they were the ones who decided to contact the press on this matter.
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:48 p.m.
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Yep - I read your post. If you really believe that you should give quietly - please don't share the story how you were out of work and gave cans of food to Echo.I commend you for doing that, but as you said give quietly. Please don't think I am messing around with you. I just have a lot of respect for Steve. He is a great guy and a positive role model. I appreciate all he has done for the community and his most recent gift.
Nov 13, 2010 at 4:03 p.m.
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Steve's awesome. What a great representative of our area and the state.
Nov 13, 2010 at 2:45 p.m.
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Gogreen61 - It was nice that you pointed out what a humble guy you were by donating to Echo while being laid off. Regarding your comments about Steve stricker - You are 100% wrong. Steve is a class act and has done other charitable things that you are not even aware of. He was not seeking recognition for this - he was just being the nice guy that he is and trying to help. If you knew him you would understand that your comments were not appropriate.
Nov 13, 2010 at 1:06 p.m.
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TJ, I agree great move by Stricker, and unlike you I think it was a humble act. Steve didn't hold a press conference to announce what he was doing. He made the donation, and as the article states, 'Officials' made the announcement. He spoke 'briefly' at the hospital, probably to be considerate, and declined further comment to probably avoid this getting more attention than it already did. Steve is a class act on and off the course and to think this wasn't a humble act is IMO incorrect. If I'm misunderstanding your comment I apologize in advance. Another reason Corporations and wealthy individuals do get publicity for their donations is because the donations are so large. Many of these donations would go unnoticed by the average citizen if it wasn't for 'officials' making the announcements.
Nov 13, 2010 at 12:36 p.m.
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I think this was nice of Steve Stricker to give back to his home town. That being said, giving should always be a humble act. Unfortunately, corporations and high profile individuals do it for tax reasons and recognition.
Nov 13, 2010 at 12:31 p.m.
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gogreen, I understand your frustrations. I am in a similar situation as you. I pray that you never need Edgerton Hospital.
Nov 13, 2010 at 7:07 a.m.
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awsome way to go steve
Nov 13, 2010 at 2:13 a.m.
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It's always nice to see a guy that comes off as a real class act on TV and find out that it's indeed true in real life. FYI, Steve also gave of his time to kickoff the rebuilding campaign for the Food Pantry/Thrift Store on Thursday. It's nice to see a guy of his stature that truly remembers where he came from. I don't care if he wins another tournament the rest of his career (God forbid) I'll be a Stricker fan until they plant me in the ground.
Nov 12, 2010 at 8:42 p.m.
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when I first saw the headline of this story I thought it was STAN Stricker! I was thinking wow! Radio pays really well!
Nov 12, 2010 at 6:45 p.m.
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Steve is one of the local guys that always gives back. TY Steve
Nov 12, 2010 at 4:40 p.m.
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Steve has been a class act all the way back to his high school golf years.
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