Monday, September 21, 2009 4:45 pm

Stones River Hospital recently donated $1,600 to Cannon County High School. Pictured are CCHS Athletic Trainer Matt Cagle and Michelle Fowler, Director of Business Development for SRH and DeKalb Community Hospital.

The relationship between Stones River Hospital and DeKalb Community Hospital has been friendly since the two hospitals both became locally owned by the same group of investors (mainly the physicians) a few years ago. However, the sister facilities went toe to toe recently. It all took place during the week that the Cannon County High School Lions were to play the rival Fighting Tigers of DeKalb County in football.

Stones River Hospital was the first to issue the challenge they called “Welcome to the Jungle: Lions versus Tigers”. The staff felt sure that the Woodbury hospital had more spirit and could raise more money than their counterparts working at their sister facility in Smithville. A special spirit stick, nicknamed Mowgli, was being made to give to the winning hospital for bragging rights.

For three days the staff at each hospital raised as much money as they could – knowing that every dollar they raised would go to the high schools of their respective community. Between the 2 hospitals nearly $3,000 was raised. After all was said and done, Stones River Hospital was victorious, won the spirit stick, and was proud to donate $1,600 to the Cannon County High School.

“We had so much fun raising this money to show our love to the Lions. We were so proud to do it in three days. And beating our friends over at DeKalb Community Hospital was sweet”, says Michelle Fowler, Director of Business Development for the hospitals.