Local Philanthropist Pledges $5M to Emergency Dept. Project

Recently, the Foundation and Evans announced a historic pledge of $5 million dollars in matching funds for money raised to support expansion and renovation of Ivinson’s Emergency Services Facility. 

Evans, a Laramie local and real estate developer, made the formal announcement at the IMH Foundation La Grande Fleur fundraiser. The gift is being made in memory of his late wife, Janey Hampton. 

“When Janey was sick she spent a lot of time in the hospital and got to know quite a few of the people at Ivinson. She was always very impressed, very complimentary and very appreciative of what they did for her. She wanted to do something for the hospital,” Evans said. ​“Janey left it up to me to decide what that was, but she wanted to make it significant and meaningful and that would have a lasting impact on the community. To me, that meant new facilities and that was the reason we chose to do a significant match.” 

John attended the University of Wyoming studying Engineering. During his studies, he was drafted to serve with the Army and stationed in Europe. Returning to Laramie, he graduated with his MBA in 1974 and married Janey that same year. Originally from Alexandria, Virginia, Janey and John shared east coast family origins. Together, the couple traveled and lived in several states, pursuing career opportunities with various nuclear energy companies. In 1999, John and Janey returned to Laramie, making it their permanent home. 

While in Laramie, John has been an active member in the community while growing several successful business ventures, including the ongoing development of the Paddocks at Fort Sanders subdivision. For 17 years he has served as a member of the Rotary Club and served on the organization’s membership committee. 

“All individual and corporate gifts to the Foundation made during its capital campaign for the Emergency Services Facility, as well as funds raised through events such as the La Grande Fleur and Sportsman Raffle, will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Mr. Evans. This is an incredibly generous commitment to our hospital and our community” said Foundation Executive Director Shannon Polk. 

​“We decided that the best way to help that drive along was to induce people to give more money than what they otherwise would, which is the purpose of a match,” Evans explained. ​“This is a challenge grant and a call out to support your community hospital.” 

In March of 2023, Janey sadly passed. She and John were married for 49 years. 

“All of Janey’s friends, and even people who barely knew her at all, said she was a very kind and giving person. She always was considerate. She always passed out flowers to people on their birthdays and things like that. They remembered her for being extra kind, extra attentive, extra careful with people. I think that is the one thing that she probably would most want to be remembered for,” Evans said of honoring Hampton. ​“It was her spirit that drove this gift forward. She wanted to see something significant happen to this hospital of lasting benefit that everybody in the community could benefit from.” 

In late May, Ivinson broke ground on the Emergency Services Facility and Expansion and Renovation Project that is expected to cost approximately $14 million. The project has already been backed by some state and grant funding, and is the Foundation’s current capital campaign project. The expanded facility will increase capacity to 13 full size treatment rooms, increase safety precautions with four exam rooms with full isolation capabilities, update the trauma rooms and improve circulation and airflow. In total the facility will expand by 3,250 square feet and renovate an additional 8,800 square feet of existing space. 

​“With this $5 million pledge in matching funds, Mr. Evans is investing in the health of our community and ensuring world-class care is available right here in Laramie,” Polk said. ​“You can be part of that impact by giving today.” 

To learn more about the Ivinson Emergency Services Facility Expansion and Renovation Project including project details and how to give, please visit imh​foun​da​tion​.org/​e​m​e​r​g​e​n​c​y​s​e​r​vices.

emergency services project

Ivinson Memorial Hospital broke ground on the Emergency Facilities Expansion and Renovation Project in May 2023. The project will renovate 8,800 square feet and add an additional 3,250 square feet of waiting and treatment space. Ivinson’s Emergency Facilities Expansion and Renovation has received some grant funding from the state for health and human services capital construction projects, but will need to raise additional capital from public donations to fully complete the project.