September is Membership Signup Month for CHWC-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary! Members are encouraged to renew their annual membership and the auxiliary welcomes new members to join for a small annual dues donation. Auxiliary volunteers in pink smocks will be promoting membership and offering information about the auxiliary at Miller’s New Market, Whitaker Way, Montpelier, on Wednesday, Sept. 28th. Life memberships are also available.
The local Community Hospitals & Wellness Centers-Montpelier auxiliary meets regularly October through June on the second Monday of each month usually at 1 p.m. in the conference room with a varied program featuring local speakers. The auxiliary’s main purpose is to offer financial support to the local hospital, supply volunteers for the hospital gift shop, show appreciation to the hospital staff for their continuous efforts in excellent patient care, assist at hospital blood drives and educate hospital auxiliary members regarding various health concerns and local hospital services.
Auxiliary projects include the hospital gift shop which is open to the public, offering a variety of items including Rada knives, gift baskets, books, snacks, crystal & glassware, greeting cards, stuffed animals, games, toys, dolls, figurines, personal hygiene items and handmade items such as scarves, slippers, kitchen towels, “scrubbies”, dishcloths, and plastic canvas gifts. Since the hospital gift shop started operations in 1991, receipts have totaled over $35,000. The gift shop is located next to the main waiting area near the admissions office. Browsers are always welcome.
Other auxiliary projects include semi-annual book fairs, memorial and luminary program, staff appreciation tea, celebration of doctor’s day and nurse’s week, monthly distribution of patient favors, soup and salad luncheon, silent auction, June and Christmas luncheons, maintaining current magazines for visitors in waiting area, and supplying puzzle books for patients.
Since its organization over 60 years ago, the auxiliary has donated more than $246,000 to assist in purchasing hospital equipment, other necessary items and monetary gifts to CHWC Share Foundation.
Current auxiliary officers serving through June 2018 are President Armeda Sawmiller, Vice President & Sunshine Chr. Carol Eriksen, Treasurer Barb Dietsch, Secretary Connie Dunseth and Past President Joyce Schelling. Other active volunteers on the Executive Board are Vivian Brown, gift shop manager & recreation; Ruth Cooley, magazines; Marty Brace, historian; and Gloria Poorman, program committee along with Armeda, Carol and Joyce.
Board members met Monday, Sept.12th to discuss plans for the new year starting with the Monday, Oct. 10th meeting in the conference room at 1 p.m. Guest speaker will be CHWC President & CEO Phil Ennen. Auxiliary members are encouraged to bring guests. New 2016-17 program booklets for auxiliary members are now available. For more information regarding the auxiliary, please contact President Armeda Sawmiller 419-485-4567 or Treasurer Barb Dietsch 419-485-3229.
INFORMATION PROVIDED