CHWC-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary held its annual Christmas luncheon and program Monday, Dec. 8th at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church, Montpelier. Serving as guest speaker that afternoon was Jami Tusko, founder and owner of Positive Parenting Solutions, LLC, organized in 2002.
Auxiliary President Joyce Schelling welcomed the members for the holiday gathering and gave the invocation prior to the delicious ham loaf luncheon, served by ladies of the church, supervised by Jean Darby. Joyce then introduced Jami for the program.
Jami offers parent education, support and coaching services to parents, grandparents, foster parents and other caregivers regarding a positive outlook for parenting children. She explained that she has a passion for helping children, parents, grandparents and caregivers who need assistance during difficult situations with extra support and coaching.
Many times communication issues are experienced in daily living and especially during separations, divorces, relocations and adjustment periods during transitions. Many grandparents are faced with taking temporary or permanent custody of grandchildren and today’s parents have different rules and regulations by which they need to abide. “Grandparent Connections” started two years ago and is part of the program offered in Positive Parenting Solutions through free support group meetings. Topics discussed include behavior problems, bullying, showing respect both by children and for them, potential abuse toward caregivers and handling “out of control” situations.
Jami has 16 years experience with children and families including teaching pre-school, home visitation specialist with “Building Healthy Families” and “Help Me Grow” programs and serving as parenting class instructor. She holds an Early Childhood Family Specialist degree and is certified as a Breakthrough Parenting instructor and coach.
The mission of Positive Parenting Solutions is to help parents, grandparents and caregivers find alternate solutions with everyday parenting challenges to demanding behaviors of children. Emphasis is placed on creating a family environment where all involved are supported in reaching their highest potential.
Classes are offered with a 20 hour course in parenting education including 15-chapter workbook study, with communications classes, and one-on-one coaching sessions available in-home or by phone. More information concerning Positive Parenting is available by contacting Jami Tusko, ph: 419-630-0272, evenings or weekends. Mrs. Tusko is also currently a full-time employee at Williams County Health Department, dealing with the WIC program for women, infants and children.
Following the program, auxiliary members recited the auxiliary prayer and answered roll call by sharing a personal Christmas tradition. Thought for the day was “Friends are angels who lift our feet when our own wings have trouble remembering how to fly”.
Members were thanked for donating non-perishable food items and cleaning, laundry, personal hygiene and paper products which will be delivered to See & Do Club and Helping Hands Food Pantries by Vice President Armeda Sawmiller and Past President Deanna Gipe. Christmas greeting cards were also signed for the hospital card shower and Joyce Schelling has patient favors for the month of December. Gloria Poorman was thanked for helping with decorations and favors for the Christmas luncheon. Those who volunteered to help with the semi-annual Book & Gift Fair in November were also thanked.
Special thanks were given to all the auxiliary members who attended and assisted with the “Lighting of the Way to Christmas” memorial program sponsored by the auxiliary on Sunday, Dec. 7th at First Presbyterian Church. A fun activity of 20 questions regarding items found in your purse concluded the luncheon meeting.
Announcement was made that the Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary has bestowed an honorary life membership to Mary June Trott in gratitude for her many years of service as an auxiliary volunteer and manager of the hospital gift shop. She was unable to attend the luncheon to receive her certificate, so the presentation was made after the luncheon at her home by President Joyce and Secretary Connie Dunseth.
The next regular meeting of the Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary will be Monday, Jan. 12th at 1 p.m. in the hospital conference room with Sally Gerkins, speaker on the Passport program. Roll call will be “Your favorite thing to do when snowed in”. Auxiliary members are encouraged to bring guests.
INFORMATION PROVIDED
