The New Milford Hospital Foundation recently hosted a reception to honor several donors for their role in renovating what is known as the hospital's Main Street -- the indoor district that comprises a new entrance and lobby.
The changes include a newly opened Planetree Gift Shop and the corridor that connects the lobby to the cafeteria.
Approximately 100 people attended the event, which honored hospital board member Tom Pilla of New Milford, along with Betty Hettinger of Pawling, N.Y., and the Hettinger Foundation, and Rita and Gus Hauser of New York City, Washington and The Hauser Foundation.
Additionally, the event paid tribute to a new ceramic tile landscape created especially for the hospital by artist Elizabeth McDonald of Bridgewater and donated by Elizabeth Richebourg Rea of Washington.
The landscape is now displayed in the main entrance corridor.
Mr. Pilla made a significant in-kind donation of his personal time and professional talents, the time and labor of some of his construction crew and all the equipment and materials to renovate the hospital's gift shop.
The newly opened Planetree Gift Shop, offering merchandise consistent with the philosophy of body, mind and spirit, is a tribute to the late Steve and Santa Pilla, mr. Pilla's parents, and his sisters, Frances, Theresa, Christina and Diane.
"Tom Pilla is dedicated to the community and places a high level of personal involvement in his activities to support New Milford Hospital," said Richard J. Henley, interim president and CEO. "When there is a need in New Milford -- be it neighborhood baseball fields or a culinary garden at the hospital, Tom `shows up for work'."
The collective gift of Mrs. Hettinger and the Hausers served to renovate the main entrance, including a more open foyer and expanded ambassador's desk with new tile, painting, carpeting and lighting.
Donors honored for roles in hospital renovations
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