North Shore Health Network donation will have 'lasting' impact

Don and Heidi Lees legacy for assisting local health care has been extended with a donation of $100,000 to the North Shore Health Network. 

"My father, Don Lees Sr., founded Milltown Motors in 1962. Our family-owned business was supported by a loyal customer base along the entire North Shore for more than 60 years.

My father brought this passion for his community to a team of local leaders who wanted to ensure a new hospital was built in Blind River. The NSHN Blind River site is the result of those efforts," says Don Jr. "Our family’s efforts were rooted in the belief that the North Shore Health Network is a cornerstone for our entire region.

"Heidi and I feel strongly that supporting the North Shore Health Network Foundation is the best way to thank our communities for the 60 years they gave us.”

The latest contribution will have an "immediate and lasting and positive impact on patient care" with the purchase of equipment, according to a NSHN Foundation news release.

"Community support is vital in securing much-needed funding for equipment and patient services, and we are so grateful to the Lees family for their generosity," said foundation chair Joanne Falk. "Medical equipment is not funded by the government, and the NSHN and the foundation are continually identifying items of greatest need to be purchased or replaced."

Tim Vine, CEO of the NSHN added: “We are so grateful for the support of our community in ensuring we have the equipment needed to provide the best patient care possible. This latest generosity by Heidi and Don, adds to the legacy of the Lees family in supporting not only the Blind River community, but communities across the North Shore. On behalf of NSHN I want to extend my sincere thanks to Heidi and Don for their leadership with this amazing gift to support the organization the Foundation.