“Equipped for the Future” campaign nears $135,000 with Jim and Amber Shippen contribution

The African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” means that the work of raising a child cannot be done alone, rather, an entire community must participate to some extent. Trenton business couple Jim and Amber Shippen live by this proverb to the fullest. The most recent announced contributors to the “Equipped for the Future” campaign being conducted by the Wright Memorial Hospital Foundation believe that they must do their part to help raise each and every child and this community.

Sole proprietors of Shippen Construction of Trenton have been in business since 1994. And in that amount of time they have seen their company grow to include Shippen Auto operated by their son Ryan. Not only are the Shippens supportive of business growth and development in Trenton, but they also know they must give back to the community that has been supportive of them.

Amber was among the first to make contact with officials of the Wright Memorial Foundation when the campaign was launched, and she was eager to contribute. They have no direct connection with the hospital but recognize the importance of the local health care facility and the impact that it has on lives.

“It is so important for everyone to support this community,” Amber said. “And health care is vital. We must work together for progress.”

The Shippens are the parents of two sons, Ryan and Clenton, as well as proud grandparents of 4-year-old Landry, and they recognize the importance of the OB Centralized Monitoring System, one of the two initiatives featured during the campaign. They also understand how important it is to constantly replace outdated equipment, and the 16-year-old ultrasound machine needs to be replaced. It is the second phase of the campaign to be launched with a combined goal of $300,000.

Jim grew up near Edinburg, and Amber calls Newtown home. But both realize the entire region is served by Wright Memorial, and they are quick to encourage others to both patronize the local facility and contribute to this much-needed campaign.

“We are so fortunate to have a beautiful new facility like Wright Memorial,” Amber said. “And with the increase in births at our local hospital, we need to equip our doctors and nurses with equipment that will enable them to be successful and provide for families making the Trenton area home.”

Matt Osterthun, Foundation Development officer for Wright Memorial Hospital, said community support is vital to the success of any campaign. 

“Great community members give back to organizations that make a difference in the lives of others,” Osterthun said. “Jim and Amber’s gift will impact thousands of people, and this shows the Shippen’s recognition of the power to have state-of-the-art technology right here in our region for years to come.”

Quiet, caring and smart are all characteristics of the Shippens. Through their vision for a better community, they encourage others to follow in their footsteps of their recent gift and make Trenton a better place to live by supporting the hospital foundation campaign.

The campaign is approaching the $135,000 level of contributions, and foundation board members hope to acquire the first piece of equipment by early fall. The second one is scheduled to be purchased by the end of the year or early 2015. A $300,000 goal has been established for the “Equipped for the Future” campaign. Tax deductible contributions can be mailed to the WMH Foundation at 191 Iowa Blvd. in Trenton, or contact Osterthun at 660-358-5706.