Jim Thompson, president of the Montpelier Area Foundation, and Jack Brace, board member of the Bryan Area Foundation, were featured guest speakers at the regular meeting Monday, Feb. 8th of CHWC-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary.
Montpelier Area Foundation was founded in 1988 as a charitable, non-profit 501C3 organization to serve citizens of the Montpelier area now and in future years by building a community endowment through charitable giving locally, and responsible investment of these resources. The foundation uses the dividends and interest earned to answer the needs for scholarships and grants given back to the community.
Tax-deductible donations are received from individuals, businesses and other organizations that desire to become involved and assist members of the local community in pursuing specific goals.
The Bryan Area Foundation was established in 1969 and since that time has partnered with the Montpelier Area Foundation, Edon Area Foundation and Millcreek-West Unity Foundation to invest funds collectively. Each foundation retains its own identity with its own officers and board of directors who decide on applications for scholarships and grants. The foundations must follow government regulations and guidelines.
Those serving on the Montpelier Area Foundation board of directors in addition to Mr. Thompson are Deb Club and Alice Miller, co-vice presidents; Susan Rockey, secretary; Alex Wheeler, treasurer; Barb Watson, Steve Yagelski, Rachael Sostoi-Willis, Mike Kannel, and Rev. David Tilly. They currently administer 26 different funds including 13 scholarship funds, four organizational funds and two designated funds. The board sincerely thanks all the donors over the past years and encourages others to participate in this local effort.
The newest fund is the Montpelier Ministerial Association scholarship fund. During 2015 over $40,000.00 was given back to the Montpelier area community. Since 2003 a total of over $346,000.00 has been returned in benefits for the Montpelier area. More information about the Montpelier, Bryan, Edon and West Unity Area Foundations is available on their website: www.bryanareafoundation.org.
Two hospital auxiliary members, Alice Miller and Deb Clum, are active participants in the local foundation, as was Auxiliary Past President Deanna Gipe, who passed away last August. Thanks to Mr. Thompson and Mr. Brace for their informative program.
Following the program, Auxiliary President Joyce Schelling continued the regular meeting with all repeating the auxiliary prayer. The February project was a Bakeless Bake Sale with members contributing a variety of recipes accompanied by donations to cover the cost of making the recipe. Some of the recipes will be used in the auxiliary newsletter.
Roll call was “When you were a child, what did the Tooth Fairy leave you?”. A total of 17 members attended. Secretary Connie Dunseth read minutes from the December luncheon meeting (January’s meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather). Treasurer Barb Dietsch gave her report, and Vivian Brown gave figures for the hospital gift shop. Other reports were given by committee chairmen.
Auxiliary members brought Valentine cards to be passed out with the February patient favors with Deloris Dennis in charge. Cheryle Gallagher, Gloria Poorman and Alice Miller volunteered to serve on the Nominating Committee and will present their report at the April meeting. Auxiliary members were asked to consider if they would be willing to run for an office and should contact the nominating committee before April. Election of officers will be held during the May meeting.
The next regular auxiliary meeting will be Monday, March 14th for the Soup & Salad Luncheon at 12 noon in the conference room. Vegetable and cheddar broccoli soups are on the menu and members are asked to bring a salad or dessert to share. Guest speaker will be Jayne Inselmann from Dept. of Aging Passport program. Roll call will be to share an Easter memory. Auxiliary members are encouraged to contact and bring a guest for the luncheon.
Decorating committee consisting of Dorothy Briner, Alice Miller, Deb Clum and Joyce Schelling will set up for the luncheon at 11:00 a.m. Armeda Sawmiller is in charge of patient favors for March.
The auxiliary is planning a Silent Auction for Monday, April 11th in the small hospital conference room with bidding open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and reopened from 2:30-3:00 p.m. closing time. (Bidding will be suspended from 1:00-2:30 p.m. during the regular auxiliary meeting.) Auxiliary members are asked to bring donations of new or nearly new items for the silent auction before 10 a.m. and items marked for the silent auction can be left at the hospital gift shop prior to April 11th.
Silent auction items can include baked goods brought on April 11th.
INFORMATION PROVIDED