As work continues to prepare Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton for its spring opening, there are visual indications the campus is coming to life more each day. Just after day broke at the hospital early Thursday morning, The Medical Center Foundation held a special flag raising ceremony and breakfast dedication to honor The Rotary Club of Braselton for their signature gift to name The Braselton Rotary Club Flag Plaza.
Located near the main entrance of NGMC Braselton and adjacent to the newly opened Medical Plaza B, the flag plaza’s expansive 37-foot stone wall and specialty paving will greet visitors as they arrive at the new hospital’s rotunda entrance.
“The Rotary Club of Braselton’s generous donation helped create a one-of-a-kind destination where, every day, we will proudly display the U.S., State and Health System flags and salute generations of service men and women who made great sacrifices to serve our country and ensure freedom for all,” said Anthony Williamson, president of NGMC Braselton. “We thank the Rotarians for making this wonderful, patriotic outdoor plaza available to patients, their families, visitors, staff and the community. The generosity speaks volumes to Rotary’s leadership and true commitment to partner with NGMC Braselton and The Medical Center Foundation to improve the health of our community.”
Williamson and Tony Funari, chairman of The Medical Center Foundation’s Braselton Campaign Cabinet, led the patriotic ceremony. Past Rotary president Jim Joedecke, current president Howard Hardaway and president-elect Leigh Carroll presented three flags to Army veterans Mike Raderstorf, director of Security for Northeast Georgia Health System, and Juan Garcia, security coordinator at NGMC Braselton. Trumpeter D.I. Brunson played our national anthem, and Mike Day, Rotarian and senior pastor of Celebration Church, offered a special prayer of dedication.
“We are fortunate to live in a community where healthcare excellence is top of mind and important to so many civic organizations, businesses and individuals alike,” says Nancy Colston, president and chief development officer of The Medical Center Foundation. “Today marks a very special day and is a celebration of the Rotary Club of Braselton’s dedication as a community volunteer and club.”
Jim Moore, chairman of The Medical Center Foundation, also announced that The Rotary Club of Braselton is the first civic club in the history of The Medical Center Foundation to make possible a permanent naming opportunity. The flag plaza is the first of many philanthropy-funded outdoor spaces that will continue to shape NGMC Braselton’s beautiful property into a destination of hope, healing and wellness for the entire community. The master plan includes more donor opportunities for gardens and walking trails that will allow the campus to fulfill the vision the community has created.
For more information about this gift and other opportunities, please contact Maggie James, signature gifts officer of The Medical Center Foundation, at 770-219-8120 or maggie.james@nghs.com.