ORANGE PARK – HCA Healthcare’s Orange Park Memorial Hospital and Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville had plans for their annual Shooting for Hope fundraiser last Wednesday, but plans changed when the coronavirus hit Northeast Florida.

The clay shooting tournament to raise money for HCA Healthcare’s Hope Fund was canceled in support of social distancing and flattening the curve. Before the virus hit the community, the hospitals in partnership with Commercial Construction Services had raised $62,000 for the cause.

Since the 501(c) charity HCA Hope Fund was created in 2005, it has helped more than 35,000 HCA Healthcare employees and family members with grants during financial hardship due to natural disasters, domestic violence, death of a loved one and other special situations. The charity helped many Memorial Hospital and Orange Park Medical Center employees on the First Coast following the most recent hurricanes.

“I am blown away that our supporters kept their financial commitment even though we couldn’t host an event,” said Bryan Davis, Orange Park Medical Center’s Director of Plant Operations and one of Shooting for Hope’s Organizers. “There is no doubt that some of these funds will go back into our community following these uncertain times we’re in.”

The charity is funded by both employee and public contributions nationwide, such as this fundraising event. The donation of just $2 a paycheck by an HCA Healthcare employee can change someone’s life, and employees didn’t hesitate to support the cause.

“What’s special about the Hope Fund is that it’s colleagues helping colleagues,” says Steve Hillyard, Plant Operations Director at Memorial Hospital and Shooting for Hope Organizer. “This year is extra special because it’s the community giving back to the healthcare heroes that are at the frontlines during this pandemic.”