Yet Another Ambulance Chase for Non-Existant Lakewood Hospital

[Bridget Conant]

There are numerous signs around town advertising the Lakewood Hospital Ambulance Race.

I thought it was misleading last year and asked where the money would go - was told it would be used by the Clinic for "education."

I guess when there is free money to be had, the Clinic will be there with their hand out.

Then they can tout how much "free" services they hand out.

[Michael Deneen]

Team Summers has reached a Trumpian levels of absurdity.
The fact that they continue the "Ambulance Chase" after the demise of the race's benefactor is a great example of their utter lack of shame.

[Jim O'Bryan]

There are numerous signs around town advertising the Lakewood Hospital Ambulance Race.

I thought it was misleading last year and asked where the money would go - was told it would be used by the Clinic for "education."

I guess when there is free money to be had, the Clinic will be there with their hand out.

Then they can tout how much "free" services they hand out.

Bridget

The Ambulance Chase comes from restricted funds in the hands of LHF. the person left money for a running race each year. If they do not do it, they lose it. According to the restriction money can be used for hell related spending. The person was a road runner.

Ken Haber, then President of LHF,at the time, explained that and that the foundation would be looking for changes in all restricted money in the future. A long task of finding heirs, lawyers, etc.

This and the. Losing of the hospital are the major reason the word "health" appears in any of these talks.

.

[mjkuhns]

The Ambulance Chase comes from restricted funds in the hands of LHF. the person left money for a running race each year. If they do not do it, they lose it. According to the restriction money can be used for hell related spending. The person was a road runner.

Ken Haber, then President of LHF,at the time, explained that and that the foundation would be looking for changes in all restricted money in the future. A long task of finding heirs, lawyers, etc.

"LHF needs to hold the Ambulance Chase or else they lose the related bequest" seems like a very satisfactory explanation. I'm going to go out on a limb and propose, however, that most interest in this topic is going to involve justification instead.

Is there conceivably a point where a foundation's formal mission has been eclipsed by some other purpose, whether something directly contrary, or simply raising money and perpetuating the organization? I think so. Upon reaching that point, could quietly bowing out of the fierce competition for volunteer time and money be the most ethical course? I think it could. Is it ever realistic even to suggest that a person or institution might do something other than pursuing income maximization? This is a deep and divisive question, but I personally believe that it's important we consider what should happen, rather than exclusively what past experience says is likely.

Meanwhile, could any of this apply to LHF? I don't know. I'm not very familiar with LHF. I have trouble, for example, immediately understanding the relevance to its mission of some of its more notable expenditures.

[Mark Kindt]

Please note the difference between LHA and LHF in the last post. These are different legal entities. I do love the fact that LHA made political contributions to achieve its own liquidation!

The documents are a sadly ironic comment on each other.

[mjkuhns]

Yes, careless presentation on my part, which was hardly needed given the baseline confusion around "LHA" vs "LHF."

To attempt some very small amends, I'll point toward a possible elaboration on Mr. Kindt's (contrastingly) careful phase "different legal entities." Were there significant intersections between the two on other, practical levels? This thread (in between the flamewarring) proposed some reasons to consider that there were.
http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewt ... 60#p171635

fwiw.

(Since this larger discussion seems likely to run for years, it's just faintly possible someone may find this a useful pointer some day.)

[Lori Allen _]

I was informed that the proceeds from the Ambulance Chase were going to the Beck Center. However, I can't confirm this.

[Bridget Conant]

If you go to lakewoodhospitalfoundation.org, you are redirected to CCF here:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/location ... ews-events

Under the Events link you will find a short blurb about the 16th Annual Lakewood Hospital Ambulance Chase, over which the Clinic gloats:

The Ambulance Chase has been a highly-anticipated community event for over fifteen years and Lakewood Hospital Foundation is pleased that the Cleveland Clinic has stepped up to host this year’s event.

Isn't it nice that they've "stepped up" to host an event that will bring money into their coffers; money which they can then claim was used to provide "charity care," for which they, in turn, receive millions of dollars in tax breaks.

[Lori Allen _]

Apparently, Hermes is sponsoring the event. I called Hermes and was told that the proceeds would go to toward the Beck Center's Creative Art Therapy.

Interestingly, the Beck Center has suddenly stepped in. I will go out on a long, thin limb here and say that I hope the funds are used correctly.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Apparently, Hermes is sponsoring the event. I called Hermes and was told that the proceeds would go to toward the Beck Center's Creative Art Therapy.

Interestingly, the Beck Center has suddenly stepped in. I will go out on a long, thin limb here and say that I hope the funds are used correctly.

Lori

I have been busy on some other items, and noticed this.

My family has been a huge supporter of Lakewood Little Theater, and the Beck Center going back to when I was a baby. I have always been a supporter, and as the Beck grew so did my thoughts on what it was and could be to Lakewood.

I broke the "Beck moving to Crocker Park" story with the help of Michael Gill, as we both love the Beck and what it means to Lakewood. It has gone from community theater to regional theater, and school. Through it all, Lakewood and Lakewood students have benefited from its growth. The city gets great PR from having it, and they have managed to dovetail it nicely with schools, and other institutions, including the Cleveland Clinic.

During the moving phase, which few remember both Mr. Gill and I mentioned Lucinda Einhouse as a possible CEO, to prove to Lakewood they were staying. Today she is still CEO, and I am very glad she took the job.

Say what you will about the Cleveland Clinic, and I think many have unreasonable expectations from a massive industrial health care corporation. They support many thing like the Arts, Museums, Orchestras, Parks, healthy care for the poor, like North Coast Health Ministries, and on and on and on and on. It is easy to assign terrible reasons why spend their money, but luckily for everyone they do.

Evil empires have always supported the arts for many reasons, from trying to purchase cool, to just simple entertainment. When they invest locally, take it. As Grandma would say, "never look a gift horse in the mouth."

Very real facts, we have some good organizations that can only do their work with BIG$$$.

This is also a huge reason why we need to see PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, then we can know it was all good.

Just my opinion.

[Stan Austin]

Regardless of all the technicalities and respective worthiness of recipients of any race proceeds the essential overriding consideration is does this event present itself to a possible entrant as a way to donate to Lakewood Hospital?

[Lori Allen _]

Right now, in the technical manner, there is no Lakewood Hospital. However, when Judge John P. O'Donnell comes back from his extended leave of absence and picks up the $400,000,000 litigation, perhaps then the money can be put back into Lakewood Hospital.

[Stan Austin]

I intended the use of the term "Lakewood Hospital" would be intentionally incorrect.

[Lori Allen _]

Speaking of the Ambulance Chase, it doesn't appear that Donald Martens & Sons was sponsoring it this year. Does anyone know why? They should be in sound financial shape, considering all of the runs from Lakewood to other Cleveland Clinic facilities.

Is Donald Martens & Sons still giving back to the community?