CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Seeking to help county residents gain first class access to health care, Clearlake Grocery Outlet has announced its support of St. Helena Hospital Clearlake’s new emergency department.

Store owners Mitch and Carol Beare have generously offered to match up to $5,000 through checkout donations during the month of May.

“This is a fundraiser that I could get excited about because it’s supporting our local community,” said Mitch Beare. “Improving our local facilities is what it’s all about.”

Employees expressed excitement as several of them have used the current emergency facility and understand the need for its expansion.

The new emergency department is currently in phase two of three phases of the construction progress.

The expanded, high-tech new facility is slated to open in April of 2013. David Santos, vice president of operations explained, “The hospital began construction of the new Emergency Department because of the urgent need for a viable facility like this, but funding is still needed yet. The hospital began this project in good faith that the community would come through with the funding for their community hospital.”

The total cost of the new emergency department is budgeted at $12.1 million.

Of that, $9 million is coming from the hospital's parent company, Adventist Health; $1 million from the Redbud Health Care District; and more than $300,000 from generous local supporters such as St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake Employees and administration, Rotary Club of Clearlake, Lake Pharmacy, Wells Fargo and Bikram Yoga Lake County.

Another $1.8 million remains to be raised.

“The hospital is so grateful for this type of community support. I hope others follow Mitch and Carol’s caring example. Thank you Clearlake Grocery Outlet!” said Melissa Kinsel, development officer at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake.

She added, “Every one of us will have to use the hospital at some point. It’s here for all of us.”

For more information about the project, visit http://www.newerforyou.com/ .