The MVH&C Perpetual Trophy was inspired by Gildred’s passion for cars and his commitment to community. Earlier this year, the Gildreds launched “Project Giveback” to help fund a new 31,800 square foot hospital in Ennis. To date, the Gildreds have pledged $1M and Project Giveback’s estimated impact totals $2.2 million, accounting for almost one-third of $9.95 million hospital.
“On behalf of the Madison Valley Hospital and Clinic, we are sincerely gratified to be recognized by an organization such as the Going to the Sun Car Rally,” said Ted Gildred. “Car rallies like this one share the spectacular scenery of Montana, but just as importantly shed light on important local causes and inspires charitable giving. The perpetual trophy is truly an award that will keep on giving back to the Ennis community year after year, and that is something to get excited about.”
“Farnum and I started this rally as a labor of love in order to give something back to Montana. The success of the rally comes from the scenery, the people involved, the towns who show their support along the way, and most importantly, the charitable giving — it’s just a fun and inspiring way to spend a week. The Madison Valley Hospital is the perfect example of this and the perpetual trophy is something that will benefit the community for decades to come,” said Jim Sitton, Going to the Sun Rally co-founder and director.
Entering its third year, the Going to the Sun Car Rally has already gained notoriety as one of the top five rallies in the United States. The 1300 mile Vintage Car Rally is limited to 40 cars, from the years 1971 or earlier and goes from Helena and through Glacier National Park on the Going to the Sun Road and into Banff National Park before winding its way back down to Helena. The rally sees participants from all over the country and as far away as London. Each year, the rally chooses local organizations in the areas of: Montana Highway Patrol, educational scholarships and programs, Native American culture, environmental grants, and rural medicine. Last year’s proceeds totaled $34,000 to local charities. Donations may be sent to Going to The Sun Rally, PO Box 157, Three Forks, MT 59752. For more information on the Going to the Sun Rally, visit http://www.goingtothesunrally.com/.
About Sun West Ranch
Sun West Ranch is a unique shared-ranch concept community in a highly sought-after area of Southwestern Montana. A vast 2,000 acres, the ranch offers three miles of private Madison River access and features phenomenal views of the Madison Valley, Gravelly Mountain Range, Beaverhead National Forest, Madison Mountain Range and the Continental Divide.
Winner of Mountain Living’s 2006 “Responsible Development” award, Sun West Ranch is the antithesis of a “typical development.” From its active community outreach to its public stand on conservation and preservation, Sun West Ranch strives not only to develop a new community, but also to preserve a thousands-of-years-old legacy and ranching way of life for generations to come. For more information, visit www.sunwestranch.com.
About Madison Valley Hospital & Clinic
The Madison Valley Hospital opened in the summer of 1950. Over the following six decades, it expanded in size and services a total of seven times. The most recent expansion took place in August 2006 with the inclusion of a Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner extension temporarily housed adjacent to the existing hospital, awaiting a dedicated space in the new facility.
Additionally, the new hospital will connect to other facilities and specialists globally through a telemedicine network so that an X-ray, CT, blood draw, or other type of diagnostic test can be conducted in Ennis while analysis and interpretation can be enhanced by specialists in other medical facilities anywhere in the world.
JGA Architects and Engineers of Billings, Mont., has been engaged to design and engineer the new Madison Valley Hospital Clinic. Dick Anderson Construction from Great Falls, Mont. is the general contractor. The first phase of the medical facility is expected to be complete by the fall of 2008. For more information on the building project or to make a contribution, call 406-682-5923.