George and Helma Webber view the Emergency Department Expansion through
the eyes and hearts of caring philanthropists
As a lifelong engineer, George Webber knows a well-planned, intricately
designed, expertly built and highly functional construction project when
he sees one. After touring the Emergency Department at Redlands Community
Hospital during its ongoing expansion and seeing exposed conduits, wire,
pipes and other hardware as they were being installed, he knew he was
seeing just that.
So impressed was Webber with the project that he and his wife, Helma, decided
to philanthropically support the hospital’s multimillion-dollar
capital campaign. They are excited to see how their generous contribution
and many others just like it will transform the existing ER into a cutting-edge
emergency facility capable of treating thousands more patients annually
that the existing one does.
“The hospital is a vital asset of the community where we live,”
George said. “An Emergency Department expansion was actually needed
many years ago, and we thought it was important now that we help out.
Helma and I give together and we’re happy to do what we can.”
George was born in Missouri and Helma was originally from Germany; the
couple met while George was in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and stationed
overseas. They married, moved to the U.S., attended college at the University
of Missouri, Rolla, and George now develops mineral properties for Webber-Plyley
Inc. and works as a mine consultant with Webber and Webber Mining Consultants
Inc. in partnership with Helma, who for many years also worked in retail
for a department store chain in Redlands. Along the way George joined
the city of Redlands Planning Commission and later was recruited to join
the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation in 2017. The couple, who live
in Redlands, are a true partnership in giving.
“I took a nurses aid class many years ago and worked at a hospital
in Germany,” Helma said. “When George was asked to join the
hospital board we discussed supporting Redlands Community Hospital and
felt it was a good idea to donate some money in hopes of making it even
better than it was.”
George, who has worked on numerous Foundation committees and now heads
the Finance Committee, added: “From time to time the Foundation
is in a position to provide specialized equipment for the hospital. I
think we’re doing some really good work.”
“I believe it’s going to be super-efficient when it’s
completed,” George said. “As an engineer I understand the
complexity of the construction. It’s an impressive project and we’re
eagerly watching things progress.”