Call-a-thon

Henry Myers

Arroyo Grande Community Hospital hosted its first ever Call-a-thon on November 19, 2019. The retro-themed event was broadcasted live from the Matthew Will Memorial Medical Center, featuring hosts Foundation Board Chair Jeff Zambo and Legacy Campaign Chair Kathy Tompkins as Foundation Board members and volunteers ardently made calls to the community. The event raised over $200,000 and helped fulfill the $6.5 million Legacy Campaign fundraising goal.

The overwhelming success of the event can be credited to a $100,000 matching gift challenge made by Kon Tiki Inn and its owner, Henry Myers. Henry, a longtime supporter of Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, was inspired to make a more substantial impact after learning about a million dollar matching gift challenge that had been made by community leaders Gary Grossman, Andy Mangano, Noreen Martin, and Nick Tompkins to support the Legacy Campaign.

“The hospital is so important for our growing community, and I think everyone should give back to the community that enabled them to be successful,” he said. “I thought the previous matching gift challenge was a wonderful way to support the hospital, so when I heard about the Call-a-thon, I thought I could help inspire others by doing the same.”

Several community leaders made surprise visits during the event, all with contributions. Many local residents made generous gifts by phone and online, and the Foundation exceeded its goal for the evening.

The second annual Call-a-thon was held on December 8, 2020 to benefit the Surgical Services Campaign at Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, with a modified format that met COVID-19 restrictions. Henry Myers matched all gifts up to $100,000 once again, and the event raised over $225,000! The Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to all who contributed to make each Call-a-thon such a resounding success.