Munson Healthcare Foundations Manager John Gower, left, receives a check from Fraternal Order
of Eagles President Mike Bristol.
As the statewide president of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Mike Bristol of Traverse City can choose the beneficiary for all the state’s Eagle Aeries charity fundraisers for the year.
He chose Munson Medical Center’s Webber Heart Center. This week he presented Munson Healthcare Foundations officials with a $100,384 check – the result of fundraisers at more than 50 chapters.
“My original goal was $150,000, with COVID-19 I lowered that to $80,000,” he said. “It was much to my delight to be able to be part of a group of people to raise $100,000.”
Bristol chose the heart center as a way to promote and support high quality heart care in northern Michigan.
“My grandfather passed away in 1976 from his sixth heart attack. He was an Army vet whose stubbornness would not make him travel to Grand Rapids to get his heart checked out. Traverse City at the time did not have a heart center,” he said. “The Webber Heart Center has touched so many people all across Michigan, many in a good way. I will always do whatever I am able to do to help the center.”
The Eagles have been generous to Munson Medical Center. Munson Healthcare Foundations Manager of Stewardship and Annual Giving John Gower said the organization’s auxiliary donated $80,000 to Cowell Family Cancer Center in 2018.
“We are truly grateful to Mike Bristol, and all of the Michigan Fraternal Order of Eagles for their incredible support of Webber Heart Center this past year,” Gower said. “The Webber Heart Center treats more than 8,000 patients in northern Michigan each year. This generous donation will have a significant impact on the lives of these patients and the quality cardiac care they receive. Every dollar donated will directly support enhanced services and new technologies for patients and families in our community.”
More information on Munson Healthcare Foundations and giving opportunities can be found at munsonhealthcare.org/foundations.