Raleigh General Hospital and its employees will be honored by the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce for its collective efforts that support several charitable organizations, churches and civic organizations.

“All of our employees have big hearts,” said Karen Bowling, president and CEO of the hospital. “The hospital and its employees have been community leaders. They participate or contribute to so many organizations.”

The award is handed out annually to a person, group or organization that distinguishes itself through its public service, according to Ellen Taylor, president and CEO of the chamber.

“Raleigh General Hospital and its employees are more than just a leader in health care in our area, they are leaders in community service,” Taylor said. “They are very deserving of this award.”

Hospital employees were the leading participants in the March of Dimes’ Walk for Babies. They also had one of the largest number of walkers and were the largest contributors in the Relay for Life to help those with cancer.

“They see and work with patients daily and they wanted to raise money for the cancer society,” Bowling said. “As a leading provider of health care, it only makes sense that we would also be the leader in supporting this effort.”

The hospital has more than 900 employees who are also involved with local churches and other charitable and civic organizations, Bowling said.

“They have donated to food banks and given to the Women’s Resource Center, just to name a few,” she said.

Some of the groups and organizations the hospital and its employees helped in 2008 included being the largest annual local contributor to the United Way of Southern West Virginia, donating to Woodrow Wilson High School’s Project Graduation, giving to the Beckley-Raleigh County YMCA, the Beaver Lions Club, Hospice of Southern West Virginia, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fayetteville High School graduation party, Raleigh County Community Action, National Multiple Sclerosis, Bowers Hospice House, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Southern West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Beckley Rotary Club, Better Beckley Association, The Salvation Army, Academy of Careers and Technology’s culinary education, Raleigh County eighth-grader career day, Make A Difference Day breakfast, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Degree of Honor Civic Service Organization, WVSOM Foundation, Woodrow Wilson High School, Liberty High School Project Graduation, Quota International of Beckley, Theatre West Virginia, March of Dimes, Women’s Resource Center, Just for Kids, the NAACP, Mac’s Toy Fund coat drive and the Burlington United Methodist Family Services Beckley Campus.

“I am so proud of this hospital and its employees,” Bowling said. “One person can make a difference and a group of people can make an even bigger difference.”

Bowling will accept the award on behalf of the hospital and its employees at the chamber’s annual dinner.

West Virginia University basketball coach Bob Huggins will be the featured speaker at the 89th annual dinner.

The banquet is scheduled Friday, May 1, beginning with a reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and dinner immediately following the reception. The event will take place at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

Bill O’Brien with WJLS will be the master of ceremonies and the event is sponsored by Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital. The reception is sponsored by Aflac.

Tickets are $55 and available from the chamber by calling 304-252-7328.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com