Harkey’s $1 million donation goes towards Orchard Hospital’s Renovation Campaign.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – It is one thing to support an organization, but Bill Harkey has truly dedicated himself to supporting our community and institutions, most notably our local Hospital.

Harkey has the distinction of being the first child born in the Biggs-Gridley Memorial Hospital (BGMH), currently known as Orchard Hospital. Preceding the origins of BGMH in 1949, the Harkey family played a key role in its conception and eventual construction, specifically Harkey’s grandfather, William Pinckney Harkey, who was present at the hospital’s groundbreaking ceremonies. The Harkey family is believed to have been the stakeholders in the hospital, later members of the Hospital Foundation, and throughout the years and generations, remained active in supporting the hospital through service and financial donations. This desire to see Gridley and its residents continue to benefit from the hospital he was born in has stayed with Harkey throughout his life, and in turn, he continues the legacy of his family and the hospital, generously donating his hard-earned money to the advancement of Orchard Hospital.

Harkey’s philanthropy includes annual donations to the Orchard Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament, in the amount of $10,000 or more, and in January of this year, Harkey donated $25,000 to the Orchard Hospital Foundation. Recently, Orchard Hospital has announced that Harkey has made another generous donation to the Foundation, this time in the staggering amount of $1 Million dollars.

Orchard Hospital CEO, Steve Stark said, “It’s difficult to convey in writing the level of gratitude Orchard Hospital feels forward the incredible gift Bill and Laurie Harkey made to our Foundation.  While Bill and Laurie’s generosity directly benefits Orchard Hospital, I see it as a gift to the entire community.  The past couple of years has proven to be the most challenging our hospital has ever faced.  Donors like Bill and Laurie recognize the importance of keeping healthcare close to home and we plan to use every penny of their gift to improve the services we provide to the communities we serve.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Bill and Laurie!”

Harkey’s $1 million donation goes towards Orchard Hospital’s Renovation Campaign. Orchard is currently in the process of upgrading their equipment and renovating their existing facilities, with the hopes of expanding to a new facility in the future.