LAKEPORT, Calif. – Sutter Lakeside Hospital and St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake announce the creation of the Lake County Cares Campaign, a fundraising partnership that will support health care in Lake County.  

The campaign officially launches on April 15 and will focus on garnering support from Lake County employees through payroll deductions.

“It’s in everyone’s best interest to have great health care in Lake County, no matter where your doctor is located,” said St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake Vice President of Operations David Santos. “Philanthropy allows both of our hospitals to make sure that we can offer the latest medical equipment and health care programs to our patients.”  

Siri Nelson, Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s chief administrative officer, agreed, adding, “Charitable giving to health care offers our community a safety net.  Our hospitals can’t afford to pay for every new piece of medical equipment or health care program that Lake County needs.  That’s where philanthropy comes in – and time after time, our donors have stepped up to fill these needs.”

Donors will be able to support either Sutter Lakeside Hospital or St. Helena Clear Lake – or both hospitals, and donors can also select what program they would like to support at each hospital.  

Development officers Rebecca Southwick and Melissa Nevin Kinsel will begin speaking to groups of Lake County employees about the community’s specific health care needs beginning April 15.

Employee payroll deduction funds will be managed by Mendo Lake Credit Union and Campaign paperwork will be audited by a third-party certified public accountant.

“We feel that the Lake County Cares Campaign strength comes from working together,” said Stephen Lundin, chief development officer of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation. “We really hope that this Campaign will also serve to communicate our passion about providing excellent health care to the residents of Lake County.”  

Penny Vanderwolk, Sutter Health’s director of development for the North Bay Region, adds, “Lake County is a place where everyone knows you by name. It’s small enough that all gifts make a big difference.”

To learn more about the Lake County Cares Campaign, please contact either Rebecca Southwick at Sutter Lakeside at 707-262-5121 or Melissa Nevin Kinsel at St. Helena Clear Lake at 707-995-5677.  You may also send email inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .