The Foundation
Mission
The mission of the Lake Chelan Health and Wellness Foundation is to enhance healthcare in the
Lake Chelan Valley by funding medical equipment, supporting healthcare education, and
advancing wellness programs that improve community well-being.
Goals
- Increase and strengthen the foundations brand and visibility
- Cultivate awareness of foundations purpose (mission and vision)
- Strengthen donor partnerships
Values
Community, Education, Healthcare & Wellness, Integrity
Vision
Our vision is a healthier Lake Chelan Valley where every individual benefits from advanced medical
resources, comprehensive healthcare education, and thriving wellness programs.
Our commitment
to Lake Chelan Health is unwavering
Thanks to our donors, we awarded $2 million to the new Lake Chelan Health Hospital – and we continue to fundraise!
In addition, the Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation made its commitment to wellness in the Lake Chelan Valley part of its strategic plan. Partnerships with schools, community organizations, businesses and individual donors make wellness programs particularly effective by drawing on a large pool of community members to support and carry the message.
The Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation (formerly the Lake Chelan Community Hospital Foundation) has been operating since 1981. We have a strong track record of sound fiduciary responsibility and responsiveness to our hospital, and the community’s health and wellness needs.
We actively manage donor contributions, bequests, memorials, donor-advised funds, endowments and an annual giving campaign. Each year LCHWF awards college scholarships to local students and to caregivers continuing their education, and assist the hospital to purchase new equipment that helps improve patient care and experiences.
The Foundation is incorporated and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Contributions are tax deductible under IRS regulations. For additional information, contact Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation at (509) 682-6125.
Online donations to the Foundation can be made at www.lchealthwellness.com/ways-to-donate/ or sent to PO Box 1911, Chelan, WA 98816.
The Bragg Scholarship & Continuing Education Fund
A single gift that has positively changed countless lives in the Lake Chelan Valley.
In 1995, Edna Bragg endowed more than a million dollars to the Lake Chelan Health and Wellness Foundation to be used in perpetuity for healthcare education. More than $1 million to date has been distributed from the Harold & Edna Bragg Healthcare Fund from the interest earned on this asset.
Harold & Edna Bragg Healthcare Fund
Our Board of Directors
Phyllis Gleasman
President
I am a country girl from Montana that values a rural lifestyle. Hydro-construction was the family lifestyle for many years and the small, rural hospital was very important to us. In rural Catalina, AZ I was chair of a community committee that founded an urgent care clinic as the nearest medical care was 30 miles away. In 1980 we moved to Chelan and I became a member of Guild Y to support the local hospital. Over time, I was on the Bond Committee for a new hospital, served on the Lake Chelan Hospital Board of Commissioners, and then became a LCHW Foundation Board member. I will continue to support rural hospitals as they are the footprint for today’s quality medical care.
Karen McKellar
Vice President
I retired from the University of Washington after working as a Clinic Administrator and Associate Director of various medical groups for 30 years. After moving back to Chelan in 1997, I ran the Chelan Family Medical Center for 7 years. I have also been active in the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care for 26 years, serving as board chair and working on many committees.
Given my background and interest in primary care, I was asked to join the Chelan Health and Wellness Foundation many years ago. Their goal of promoting healthcare services and wellness initatives in the Lake Chelan Valley is important to me. I enjoy the work we do and am pleased with our efforts.
Dale Hoisington
Treasurer
I was born and raised in Spokane, graduated from Gonzaga University in 1972, and then moved to Seattle. My career was in sales and marketing with Procter & Gamble, 7UP Company, and PepsiCo. I built a house in Manson in 1999 with plans of retiring to the area, which I did in 2006. I enjoy giving back to the community in which I live and I cannot think of a better cause than health care and education, both of which I find serving on the LCHWF board.
Linda Parker
Secretary
I enjoy serving on the Foundation Board. I was involved in the Seattle area with a Hospital Board and a volunteer for many years. Our Foundation Board serves our community in many ways. I have been especially involved with our Scholarship program which benefits College students, and our continuing education programs that benefits employees in the Health Care field in our Hospital and Clinics. I have been a resident since 2000 and a Board Member since 2002.
Agustin Benegas
Director
I am a longtime resident of Chelan, born and raised. Since April 2004, I have worked at Chelan Hospital (Lake Chelan Health), starting in the Health Information Management Services Department and later transitioning into roles in Quality and Community Wellness. Currently, I serve as the Communications Manager and Public Information Officer (PIO) for Lake Chelan Health and serve as a Spanish interpreter/translator.
Helping advocate for a new hospital and seeing it come to fruition, after several failed attempts, has been one of the biggest highlights of my career. Additionally, working through a world pandemic has been a significant experience.
I have a passion for community health and am dedicated to initiatives that support the health and wellness of both youth and adults living in the Lake Chelan Valley. It is a pleasure to serve on the foundation and work with the Guilds (Guild B and Y) to improve and support healthcare needs for the hospital and the community it serves.
Susan Fisher
Director
I was born in Seattle but came to Chelan in 1952. I graduated from Chelan in 1961. I went to the Deaconess School of Nursing in Wenatchee and graduated in 1964. I worked in the original Chelan Hospital as well as Regency Manor. I enjoy putting puzzles together and walking on the Manson Highway picking up litter.
Aurora Flores
Director
Health and wellness for our community as well as professional development for the Lake Chelan Hospital staff are two reasons why I serve on this Foundation. I also serve on the Manson School Board, the Professional Educators Standard Board, and am currently Vice-President of the Washington State School Directors Association. I have four children; Gabriel, AnnMarie, Jaime and Valerie, six grandchildren and have been married to my husband, Balentin, for 46 years.
Fran Horn
Director
I began coming to Lake Chelan as a teenager with my family. In 1999 my husband and I purchased a vacation home here so we could continue enjoying boating and the many trails at Echo Ridge. In 2018, I retired from Brattain International Trucks where I started as a credit manager and finished off my career as the CFO. Recently my husband and I completed construction on our new home in Manson and are looking forward to enjoying all that the valley has to offer. I look forward to giving back to my community and helping the foundation provide educational opportunities to students and those in the health care field who wish to continue their education.
Judy Steele
Director
I’m a lifelong resident of the Lake Chelan Valley and a committed volunteer to my community. I’m a founding board member for the Foundation since 1981. In addition to serving as Foundation President, I’ve been a President of Chelan Soroptimist Club, the only woman ever to hold the position of Commodore for the Lake Chelan Boating Club, and recently an active committee member for the Citizens for a New Hospital. I retired from the US Postal Service after serving for 32 years in 2014. My husband Allen and I have been farming the 110 year old family orchard since 1971, and we enjoy spending time with our family.
Lester Cooper
Director
Lester was born in England and immigrated to Canada in January of 1965. He and his wife Carol moved to Seattle February 1971. Lester’s work experience includes 21 years of service with PACCAR followed by a number of years working for News International and as an independent consultant in various process industries. Lester retired from General Electric as Director for International Business Development and Manufacturing Execution Systems. Lester and Carol bought their first home in Lake Chelan in 1992 and as he says gave up all “dark side rights” in April of 2005. Lester is a past President for the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce. He is also Past President for the Chelan Rotary Club and former board member for the Lake Chelan Health and Wellness Foundation. He is also a Trustee for the Community Foundation of North Central Washington.
Mary Signorelli
Director
I am since last October, 2023 been a member of the HDCA BOARD. Since January, 2024 been on the Lake Chelan Health and Wellness Board.
Cindy Aston
Director
Hi – I’m Cindy Aston and I have been a resident of the Lake Chelan Valley for over 65 years. I graduated from the Chelan School system in 1976. Over the years I been very active in the community and served on many local boards including Chelan City Council, Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce, Valley Pride, Lake Chelan Arts & Crafts Fair and several others. I was involved in the 4-H program for 30 years, helping the youth in our community with many projects. I am a certified medical assistant and have worked in our area for over 8 years. Currently in family medicine and dermatology.
My dad, Emmitt Aston, was a long-time proponent of the chamber and the community as a whole. His love of being “involved” has shown me what positive influence we can all have on a small town.
Director of Community Relations
I have lived and worked in the Chelan Valley since 1985. Both of my children were born and raised here and are still a vital part of this community.
I have a dual degree in Business and Marketing specializing in Public Relations from Wenatchee Valley College. Working as an Emergency Medical Technician for over 15 years at Lake Chelan Community Hospital is one of my greatest accomplishments, along with my involvement in one of the hospitals’ original Guilds (The Alpha Guild) for over 20 years. During my time with the guild, we accomplished many goals in acquiring equipment for the EMS department and its staff.
Working with the Lake Chelan Health & Wellness foundation is the perfect next step for me to put my skill and experience to good use, and I look forward to serving the community in this way.
Vita Monteleone
Remembering:
Emmit Aston, Virginia Murphy and Karen Collins
Emmit Aston joined the Foundation over 25 years ago. He was truly a dedicated, passionate and foundational figure both in the community and on the board. Very few people have committed more time, energy, or money to the support of our hospital. Arguably the only thing Emmit was as committed to besides his family and the hospital was the University of Washington Husky’s! Emmit was a constant.
A quiet, but pivotal individual in our community and on our board. He did all things with a thoughtfulness and a gentle and funny way. He always had a joke at the ready and sparkle in his eye. Even though Emmit faced a number of health challenges, he never let them get the better of him or his spirit. He loved his family, his community, his Husky’s and this hospital.
He will be truly missed, but we know two things for sure: he will be present on the day we dedicate our new hospital and he will be forever wearing his purple and gold!
Emmit Aston
Virginia Murphy
Virginia Murphy joined the Foundation in 1993 and served us faithfully for almost 30 years. Among the many tasks she did was managing the Scholarship and Continuing Education funding processes. Every student applicant and hospital caregiver and staff heard from Virginia.
She proudly considered this important work a great responsibility. She was organized and reliable. Virginia also had a sweet tooth and it was not unusual to spot at least one cookie or piece of cake in her office.
She had an easy smile and a friendly word for everyone – and everyone in the hospital knew Virginia. We will miss her
Karen Collins
Karen Collins
Our Mission
To promote healthcare services and wellness initiatives for the Lake Chelan Valley.
Join our email list
Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Website by SalmonBerry Designs