As early as 1995, a group of area citizens were asked to serve on a fund development committee. St. Clement Hospital had received a $1,000,000-plus estate which helped establish the Foundation. Another significant estate gift was received later.
On December 16, 1996 St. Clement Health Services Foundation was formed to serve as a fund-raising arm in support of St. Clement Hospital in Red Bud, Illinois. Its mission was to provide the area communities a way to ensure the availability and enhancement of health care services for future generations.
Funds from the initial bequest, along with other donations, were distributed by the Foundation over the years to benefit the hospital, nursing home, and other health related groups. Some of the funds were used to purchase new equipment and technologies, assist with new health and wellness programs, along with renovations at the institutions.
Due to the sale of St. Clement Hospital to Community Health Services, a private organization, it was necessary for the foundation board to reorganize. With the legal reorganization completed (2003), the Foundation continued as the St. Clement Community Foundation (SCCF).
Founding board members of SCCF were: Charles Mudd of Red Bud, Pat Brady of Waterloo, Ernie Doiron of Prairie du Rocher, Bernadette Gregson of Hecker, Carl Gross of Evansville, Loren Harms of Red Bud, Harlow Herman of Red Bud, John Huetsch of Waterloo, Barbara Koester of Red Bud, Jane Lucht of Red Bud, Sister Stephanie Mertens of Evansville, Steve Nagel of Waterloo, and Michael Reed of Red Bud.
