A new replacement hospital for Catalina Island is no longer just a vision. It is coming into focus.
On Aug. 1, the Catalina Island Health Foundation raised an extraordinary $5.1 million in support of a new replacement hospital during its annual Catalinaville fundraiser. The record-breaking result more than quadrupled last year’s total of just over $1 million and represents a remarkable show of support for the future of healthcare on Catalina Island.
The Party with a Purpose
Hundreds of donors, friends, special guests, and community leaders gathered just steps from the beach for an unforgettable evening with an important purpose: ensuring access to compassionate care on Catalina Island for generations to come.
Guests embraced the spirit of the evening in colorful beach attire and enjoyed dinner, drinks, a beautifully curated silent auction, a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and travel adventures, live music, and dancing. Emcee and auctioneer extraordinaire Zack Krone kept the energy high throughout the night with his signature humor, quick wit, and infectious enthusiasm.
Catalina Island Health CEO Tim Kielpinski set the tone for the evening with insightful remarks about the critical need for a new hospital and the importance of ensuring that high-quality care remains available on the island.
That message became deeply personal through the debut of a patient experience film featuring heartfelt stories from patients and their families. The film brought the need for a new hospital to life in a deeply human way, leaving many guests visibly moved and some in tears.
An Extraordinary Show of Generosity
The evening’s most inspiring moments came as guests raised their paddles in support of the new hospital.
Leading the giving were Gerald and Sue Vickers and their family, who pledged to match all donations that evening up to $1 million. The community quickly rose to the challenge, reaching that milestone with remarkable speed.
Moved by the generosity filling the room, the Vickers family expanded their challenge by an additional $1.5 million, bringing their total matching commitment to $2.5 million.
Inspired by the Vickers family and the giving spirit surrounding them, Paul DeMyer – with his wife Janet by his side – was compelled to share their story and the incredible care Janet has received at the hospital. He then announced a gift of $25,000, challenging others to give at that level. A handful of individuals instantly stepped up which raised an additional $250,000.
By the end of the evening, donations made through the paddle raise, along with proceeds from the silent and live auctions, surpassed $2.5 million – unlocking the full $2.5 million match. Bringing the night’s grand total to an extraordinary $5.1 million.
“What an inspiring night!” said Kielpinski, Catalina Island Health CEO. “I am incredibly grateful to those who have supported this project from the very beginning and to our newest friends. Together, we will build the new state-of-the-art hospital that our island community deserves.”
Why a New Replacement Hospital is Needed
Catalina Island Health serves approximately 4,000 year-round residents and more than 1 million visitors each year. The current hospital was built in 1960, when the island welcomed a fraction of today’s visitors. More than six decades later, the facility has outgrown the needs of the community it serves.
There is also a firm deadline. California requires rural hospitals to meet stringent seismic safety standards by 2032. To continue providing essential emergency and healthcare services on Catalina Island, Catalina Island Health must build a modern replacement hospital designed for the future.
The $5.1 million raised at Catalinaville represents an extraordinary step forward. It is a powerful reminder of what is possible when a community comes together around a cause that matters.