PORT ANGELES — The son of a former Olympic Medical Center employee who died at the age of 106 has donated his late mother’s house to the hospital.
The gift was announced to OMC commissioners Wednesday, when the OMC Foundation also presented $21,071 to the hospital.
Lloyd Bedinger donated the house, which is located next to the OMC campus in Port Angeles.
Bedinger is the son of the late Helen Rice, who died at the age of 106 in March after living in the house for more than 60 years.
“We moved to Port Angeles from Illinois in 1956 and lived up by the high school,” Bedinger recalled, according to Bruce Skinner, executive director of the OMC Foundation.
“When the hospital offered my mom employment in the cafeteria, she wanted to be closer to work, so we relocated, because she never drove and had to walk,” Bedinger said.
“Since the hospital offered my mom a job, I decided that I wanted to give the house back to them,” he continued. “I felt like it was the right thing to do.”
Said Skinner: “We are extremely grateful for what Lloyd has done. It means a great deal to OMC.”
Skinner also told commissioners the foundation plans to donate more next month. Then, it will have given almost $650,000 to, or on behalf of, OMC as a result of 2020 fundraising activities.
“The community was very generous this year,” Skinner said. “We had one of our best years, even though four of our six events were held virtually, and another was canceled.
Those interested in more information or in making a donation can call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144, or email bruce@omhf.org.
Donations also can be mailed to the foundation office at 1015 Georgiana St.
“We hope that many local people will become a part of our fundraising effort,” said OMC Foundation President Mary Hebert.
“It’s an opportunity for people to leave a lasting legacy, and 100 percent of the monies donated will go towards Olympic Medical Center programs,” Hebert said.
