A “generous donation” from an Essex County couple to the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation was announced Monday with hopes others may consider doing the same during the holiday season and help support a vast array of medical needs in the community.

John and Carrol Hackson made their donation with a desire others will soon follow their lead. The couple asked their donated amount be withheld, but hoped it “will motivate others to give,” the couple said.

“We have been fortunate in our lives and wanted to give back,” said John, 74, a retired school teacher.

“We are great believers that Windsor really needs a new hospital and we will do whatever we can to help in that regard. We want to see a building — that’s what we want to see.”

The Hacksons were hopeful “other Santas” will come forward to help the hospital’s foundation.

“We hope people say ‘if this guy can do it, why can’t I pony up some money,’” John said. “Hopefully, this will help trigger some people to help. We have other charities we help, but we want to see a new building. We need this hospital.”

Funds donated to the hospital’s foundation help fill many equipment, program and health care needs not covered by the provincial government, said Richard Vennettilli, president for the foundation which has been in place since 1995.

The Hacksons’ donation was designated toward “current or future needs.”

It will be designated to be spread over a variety of hospital departments which each regularly update a wish list of their most urgent capital needs not provided for by the government, said hospital spokesman Ron Foster.

Surgical equipment, medicines, added comforts for in-patient care and or family birthing supports are among beneficiaries from foundation funds, he said. With the $2-billion megahospital being planned there also will be plenty of needs to outfit the facility.

Ultrasound machines, portable monitors, critical care beds, blanket warmers, bassinets are among specific items that get purchased, Foster said.

Recently, about $1.6 million was spent on equipment and furniture by the foundation to fully update the hospital’s renal dialysis unit, Vennettilli said.

Christmas season is often a prime time for donations to the foundation when roughly 10 per cent of funds are received, he said.

“We collect all through the year during different functions, but people this time of year are in the giving mode,” Vennettilli said. “A nice donation from he Hackson family is not only appreciated, but often inspires other people, too.”

The foundation board works in tandem with hospital staff and roughly each quarter of the year steps up to fund required equipment purchases.

Contributions in recent years have increased steadily to the foundation, especially with the new megahospital on the horizon, Vennettilli said.

“There is more awareness of the new health care system and people want to support that,” he said.

“Our job is to fill in all the blanks we can to meet the health care needs of the people of Windsor. It’s an absolute necessity because the government doesn’t cover it all.”

dbattagello@postmedia.com