Things: Fundraising Campaigns

Before the advent of hospitals, people suffered from diseases, accidents or injuries, and they either had to find a way to get to a doctor, or a clinic, or a hospital, in order to receive treatment. In those times now viewed as primitive, doctors would often travel by horseback, or carriage, to where patients were located so they could provide care. As the idea of clinics and hospitals evolved, not only were doctors needed, but facilities where they could provide care became a necessity.

In the decades following the Civil War, the growth of cities and the increase in suburban areas around those cities led people with forethought and ideas of how care could be provided to look at models like clinics, and later hospitals, which immediately created the need for fundraising and volunteers to support the mission.

Elizabeth, NJ was among the first to take the necessary steps toward the development and implementation of these ideas. The first step was the opening of a "Free Dispensary" that was located a few blocks from the train station in a rented storefront. This was accomplished by four physicians banding together to rent a space at their own expense which was open and staffed a few days each week. This idea grew in size and scope and created another call for the creation of a "Hospital." In those days, government subsidies and payment programs didn't exist, so the idea of funding a hospital fell to a core group of dedicated citizens. Along with the support of the Elizabeth Daily Journal, they began summoning for help and telling the stories that helped gain public support. Fundraisers, and fundraising, grew in size and scope as Elizabeth General Hospital and Dispensary grew from a storefront clinic to a major medical center,

In The Beginning
Many "entertainments" were presented in local venues to raise money for the hospital that was created on Jaques St. as it was purchased and converted from a private house to a hospital nicknamed "Jaques Folly" due to its configuration as a hospital. A smaller building in the back of the property was also pressed into service as a " Surgical Pavilion" as the need outgrew the facility. At every step of the way, fundraising was undertaken to help the enterprise grow and achieve its lofty goals.

There was a large event known as a Kirmess. There were theatrical presentations. There were mite boxes located around the city. There was even the funding of a Daisy Bed, and later a Daisy Ward, by children of the City of Elizabeth who donated nickels, dimes, quarters and more and had their names published in the Journal.

And last, but certainly not least, the early annual reports of the hospital show individual donations of the people of Elizabeth who gave what they could, when they could. There are instances of people donating a chicken, or a carton of tomatoes, or, in one instance, a "pail of mincemeat." In those days, everything that was needed came from the people of Elizabeth to promote "their hospital."

The funding of this "first hospital" was a collaborative effort between the people of the City of Elizabeth and the dedicated members of the medical and professional community to eventually build one of New Jersey's most influential healthcare institutions.

Turn of the Century
In the 1890's, the need for a larger hospital was acute, and fundraising efforts were stepped up to include individual donations by many civic-minded individuals and companies, all of which were published in the Journal (see "The Grand Result" in the sidebar). As donations were being secured, a site was selected on the corner of Reid St. and E. Jersey St. surrounding properties were acquired by Lebbeus Miller, Calvin Orcutt and others, and the Jaques St. facility was abandoned on May 2, 1894 as the new Elizabeth General Hospital and Dispensary was unveiled to the public. NOTE: "Jaques Folly" was eventually torn down and replaced by a public school in 1900. That building still stands today, having been converted to condominiums with the 1900 cornerstone still in front of the building.

Another major gift at the time enabled the creation of the Blake Memorial, a building that was constructed alongside the main hospital, and provided care to the women of Elizabeth for many years.

By this time, the Journal was a key supporter of the work of the hospital and many newspaper articles chronicled the successes of the fundraising efforts and the work that followed. For years, the Jaques Street hospital proudly served the public, and, then again, with an expansion in the population and the need for a facility that would enable the hospital to maintain its status as a leading medical facility, a new hospital was built on the Reid/E. Jersey site around 1924 and became the cornerstone of the complex that was expanded again and again over the coming years.

Through World Wars
During the early part of the 20th Century, many new construction project and capital equipment campaigns took place, each requiring "the General" to reach out to the public for help in completing these projects and purchases. In every case, a combination of brochures, public events and publicity helped then-Elizabeth General Hospital reach their goals and expand to meet the public need. The Green Cancer Clinic, named after the son of the founder, was an important milestone.

Many older readers may remember the Cafe that was run by the Auxiliary and was located to the right of the main entrance of the hospital. It was an addition to the already-existing main building and was an important meeting (and eating) place for thousands of Elizabeth residents (and friends and loved ones) visiting them.

Fundraising played an important role in all of these endeavors, and so much more.

This information was last reviewed or updated on September 15, 2024. Adjustments may be made to this page as new information is added, making this a continual work in progress.

This information was last reviewed or updated on January 1, 2025. Adjustments may be made to this page as new information is added, making this a continual work in progress.