CLEWISTON — Several local businesses and other agencies have made pledges this year to donate almost $2 million in charitable contributions to the Hendry Regional Medical Center Foundation — surpassing the expectations of the local hospital board.

Eight organizations provided the bulk of the contributions, with each of the partners pledging amounts of $100,000 or more to the hospital; two of them pledging $500,000 each.

“As the foundation director I am absolutely ecstatic,” said Glenda Wilson, the hospital’s spokesperson. “The community is very excited for the healthcare improvements of Hendry County.”

According to Ms. Wilson, the money being donated will be used by the hospital foundation n- a foundation tasked with special projects assigned by the hospital board — over the next three to five years on several projects throughout the county.

One of those is the urgent care facility being planned for the LaBelle area. The facility will help to close the gap with more medical services provided in that area.

The money will also help pay a portion of the cost associated with constructing a new emergency room, surgery suite and laboratory in Clewiston. The facilities will be located behind the existing hospital site and planning is currently underway to move the project forward.

Both facilities will be brand new facilities.

Robbie Castellanos, chairman of the Hendry Regional Medical Center Foundation, said that the support from the community has been overwhelming.

Organizations contributing include: U.S. Sugar and the First Bank of Clewiston, with pledges of $500,000; The Bonita Bay Group and the Hilliard Family, with pledges of $200,000 each; the city of Moore Haven, pledging $150,000; the Berner, Ridgdill and Couse families, each pledging an additional $100,000.

Pledges total $1.85 million.