From Spotlight on Health Sept./Oct. 2008

A tremendous gift to our community

In challenging times, everyone searches for a helping hand and welcomes the generosity and kindheartedness of others.

Two of CentraCare Health Foundation’s needs have been met by Benedict and Dorothy Gorecki. Since 2002, the Goreckis have donated more than $5.5 million to the Foundation for St. Benedict’s Senior Community and St. Cloud Hospital’s new hospitality house. This couple from Milaca has a long history of opening their hearts to the Central Minnesota community. Nominated by the CentraCare Health Foundation, the Goreckis won the 2008 Distinguished Philanthropist Award by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy for their generous support of various community projects.

Dorothy and Benedict Gorecki

In 2006, the Goreckis gave $3.5 million for the building of a new wing and renovation of the current care center at St. Benedict’s Senior Community. Construction of the new wing was completed in July 2008, creating 40 additional private resident rooms. Renovated dining rooms, common spaces and nursing areas provide residents and their families with a comfortable and welcoming environment. A satellite physical therapy suite, exercise room, salon and café also are available to care center residents. The remodeling of the current care center will be completed in September
2008, and together with the new wing, will be renamed the Gorecki Care Center.

The new St. Cloud Hospital hospitality house also will bear the Gorecki name in recognition of their $1-million donation to that project. The Goreckis’ donation is the lead gift of a $2.5-million fundraising campaign to support construction of the new guest house and to increase the operating endowment, allowing room rates to remain affordable and help cover room costs for families who do not have the ability to pay

The non-profit St. Cloud Hospital Gorecki Guest House will offer an affordable and homelike, temporary living experience to families and patients receiving medical care in the St. Cloud area. Expected to open in Spring 2009, the new house will feature 12 guest rooms, private bathrooms and localized thermostats to make each guest as comfortable as possible.

Faced with an unexpected, extended stay, a recent guest of the current hospitality house described the environment as“a place that extended the hand of kindness that is so much the spirit of St. Cloud Hospital. It truly fulfills a need for many who are there through no fault of their own.”