With abiding gratitude for the many blessings she’s known in her life, Arleta Rae Allen believes in both giving back and paying forward to the community she loves.

In 2004, Rae named the Island Hospital Foundation as a beneficiary in her will and trust.

My first up-close encounter with Island Hospital was in 1994, when a dear friend was hospitalized and I was worried, yet at ease, because the staff was so exceptional and caring. Later – through the numerous hospitalizations of my partner, constant companion and love, Don Finsen- we grew to love everyone from the cleaning crew to docs and nurses and new most of them by name.

I learned what it is to belong to a small, rural hospital community, where one gets a true feeling about the hospital, the way it runs, its providers, and marvel at its growth. Like any beautiful and growing organism, our hospital needs nurting and support. Get out your pocketbook and write a check, or plan for some other way to feed this vital resource. From birthing through the end of life and everything in between, Island Hospital is here for us. Let’s keep it that way!”