The Oakes Family

Gift Amount: $5,000,000
Area of Recognition: The Oakes Family Main Entrance

The Niagara Health Foundation is honoured to recognize the Oakes Family for their incredible donation of $5 million to the new South Niagara Site of Niagara Health. The Oakes Family has a long tradition of supporting health care in Niagara. In recognition of this generous donation, the main entrance of the South Niagara Site of Niagara Health will be named “The Oakes Family Main Entrance.”

The Oakes Family has deep roots in philanthropy with Niagara Health, more specifically, healthcare in Niagara Falls. In 1954 the Niagara Falls City Council approved the construction of what is the now Niagara Falls Site of Niagara Health. In the early 1950’s Lady Eunice and Sir Harry Oakes donated the land for the current Greater Niagara General Hospital. The Oakes Family legacy of supporting Niagara has been prominent for nearly 100 years.

Upon learning of the campaign to build a new hospital, Sir Harry’s grandson Harry Oakes stepped up to join Mayor Jim Diodati to co-chair the It’s Our Future campaign. Mayor Diodati’s leadership of the campaign was an inspiration demonstrated by years of advocating for the new hospital and bringing community supporters together to achieve an ambitious fundraising goal.

“Our gift would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our HOCO team members. Our family is pleased to be in a position to give back by supporting the new hospital project. The new hospital will provide our Niagara Health care team with a state-of-the-art facility they deserve in order to provide care for Niagara residents and visitors. Hopefully, this gift will inspire others to follow and make a commitment to the It’s Our Future campaign.” – Harry Oakes, Founding Donor and It’s Our Future Campaign Co-Chair.

“Niagara Health is deeply grateful for the continued support of the Oakes family. Their generosity stretches back more than seven decades to when Lady Eunice Oakes donated the land on which the Niagara Falls Site sits today, and now that legacy of giving is continuing with this $5-million gift for the new South Niagara Site. The new hospital will transform healthcare for the Niagara community, just as the current Niagara Falls hospital did when it opened in 1957.” – Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO, Niagara Health.

“To have the ongoing support of the Oakes Family is truly inspiring. The Foundation is so thankful for their support and care for Niagara. Through this incredible donation, and with Mr. Harry Oakes leadership of the It’s Our Future campaign, we are able to continue to show Niagara how supportive the community is and how amazing the new hospital will be for all residents.” – Andrea Scott, President & CEO, Niagara Health Foundation.

“Leading by example is something that has long been a trademark of Harry Oakes and the Oakes Family. Evident in the Oakes name used throughout our City, the family has been a steward of the community for centuries. In fact, the land for our GNGH was donated by the Oakes family at the time of its construction. Now, with this incredible donation to the building of our new hospital, they are proving that to be leaders means to be continually engaged and constantly committed to making our City a better place. Thank you to the Oakes and HOCO family for giving from their hearts and proving that supporting the community you live in, is always in style.” – It’s Our Future Campaign Co-Chair, Mayor Jim Diodati

The Niagara Health Foundation will be celebrating the It’s Our Future Founding Donors over the next few months and want to thank all those who have already generously donated to the campaign. To date, more than $27 million has been pledged in support of the new South Niagara Site of Niagara Health.