McKenzie Foundation Launches “Building Together. One Story at a Time.” Digital Campaign

Every person who walks through the doors of McKenzie Health System has a story. So do the physicians and caregivers who care for them, the volunteers who give their time, and the community members who have supported local healthcare for generations.

Those stories are taking center stage October 1–24 during McKenzie Health System Foundation’s 2026 Digital Campaign, “Building Together. One Story at a Time. For every story yet to come.”

Throughout the 24-day campaign, McKenzie will share stories from across the organization and community, highlighting the people behind local healthcare and inviting the community to be part of what comes next.

Adding to the excitement, an anonymous donor has committed a $20,000 Challenge Match Gift, creating an opportunity for community donations to have twice the impact.

“We want this campaign to be about more than asking people to give,” said Erin Carlson, McKenzie Foundation Circle of Friends Chair. “McKenzie’s story has been written by this community for generations—by the people who have trusted us with their care, worked here, volunteered, supported us, and believed in the importance of having healthcare close to home. This is an opportunity to celebrate those stories while also investing in the ones that haven’t been written yet.”

A Different Story Each Week

The campaign will unfold over several weeks, each offering a different perspective on what McKenzie means to the community and, likewise, what the community means to McKenzie.

Community members will be encouraged throughout the campaign to follow along, share the stories that resonate with them, create their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages, and make a gift if they choose.

Building for More Than a Building

The Digital Campaign comes at an extraordinary time in McKenzie Health System’s history as construction continues on its new replacement hospital.

While financing for construction of the new hospital is already secured, philanthropic support provides something different: greater capacity to invest in the people, equipment, technology, services, and opportunities that strengthen local healthcare.

McKenzie has already seen what additional capacity can mean for the community, with investments such as new ambulances and advanced 3D mammography technology with artificial intelligence helping expand what is possible close to home.

“Building a new hospital is an incredible opportunity, particularly for an independent rural health system,” said Steve Barnett, McKenzie Health System President and CEO. “But our vision has never been simply to construct a building. It is to make sure strong, high-quality healthcare remains here for the people who depend on it today and for the generations who will need it tomorrow.”

Community Support Can Go Twice as Far

Thanks to an anonymous $20,000 Challenge Match Gift, donations made as part of the challenge will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $20,000.

The campaign is also receiving generous support from businesses and organizations throughout the community. Sponsors confirmed to date include Event Sponsor Stifel | Thumbcoast Financial Group; Gold Sponsors Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C.; Mi-Dahs Well Banquet Hall; and Sanilac Broadcasting; Silver Sponsors Highline Internet; Sanilac County News & Your Buyer’s Guide; and Tribune Recorder Leader; and Bronze Sponsors Barnett Anesthesia; Eastern Michigan Bank; and Managed Care Partners, Inc.

“We are incredibly grateful to the anonymous donor who stepped forward with this challenge and to every sponsor who has already joined us,” said Carlson. “But participation in this campaign isn’t measured by the size of a gift. Watching a video, sharing a story, starting a fundraising page, donating, or simply helping someone else understand why local healthcare matters—all of it helps.”

The Digital Campaign runs October 1–24, 2026, leading into the McKenzie Health System Autumn Benefit on October 24.

Community members can follow the campaign, meet the people behind the stories, create a fundraising page, and make a gift at www.OurFutureToBuild.org. Help write the story.