Troy Regional Medical Center made a $552 donation to the Troy Recreation Department’s Miracle Field Playground project on Friday.

The funds were collected though the internal campaign inspired by the hospital staff’s participation in the Miracle League Buddies program.

“We had such a great time participating in the Buddies program that we became passionate about doing what we could to make the Miracle Field Playground a reality,” said Teresa Grimes, hospital CEO/administrator.

Grimes said Trey Wofford, lab manager, and Karen Herring, marketing, spearheaded the fundraising project.

Their brainchild was to have a Miracle “bucks” contest – bucks as in deer and bucks as in greenbacks.

“But we didn’t think it would be a good idea to bring deer into the hospital,” Wofford said, with a smile. “So, we decided to invite the hospital staff to bring their deer photographs. But, there was a lot of interest so we decided to open the contest to include any wildlife and outdoor photographs.”

The entry fee for each photograph was $5 and $1 per vote for the “best photograph.” The photo with the most votes would win a large, framed National Wild Turkey Federation print signed by wildlife artist, Hayden Lambson, and donated by Wofford.

The bulk of the photographs entered were, of course, of trophy deer but there were also photographs of duck and turkey hunters and fishermen. Then, there were wildlife photos that included bears in the mountains, a stretched-neck turkey and even a trapped possum. There were shots of the moon and a lightning storm to add to the variety of the Miracle Bucks competition.

“Everyone really enjoyed looking at the photographs and not just the hospital staff,” Herring said. “Visitors would stop and look and some of them voted.”

When all the votes were cast, the Miracle Bucks contest had raised $276.

But, as they say on TV, “Wait. That’s not all!’ An anonymous donor had pledged to match the donations that were made.

“The anonymous donation brought the total to $552,” Herring said. “Our goal was to raise $500 and that donation took us over the top. We were extremely excited to be able to donate that much to the Miracle Field Playground project.”

The winner of the wildlife print was April Sneed, assistant to the CEO.

Sneed’s photograph was of her three sons following an early morning duck hunt.

“As we were coming from the pond around 7 a.m., I turned and took the picture,” Sneed said. “What makes it so special is that my granddaddy’s barn is just behind my sons. I get teary-eyed knowing my granddaddy, Lloyd Green, would be so proud to know that his great-grandsons were hunting on his land.”

Wofford presented the $552 donation to Lisa Holmes, TRD programs coordinator, and Brian Meadows, who joins Holmes on the Miracle Field Playground committee.

“We want to thank the staff at TRMC for their generous donation,” Holmes said. “We appreciate their support. They are helping make a difference in the lives of the children of our community.”

Holmes said the Miracle Field Playground project will cost around $200,000. About $80,000 is needed to put the fundraiser over the top.