Sandy Gordon, Montpelier’s Parks & Recreation Dept. director, served as guest speaker for the April 8th afternoon meeting of CHWC-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary held in the Robison Room at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Sandy has been employed at the department since 1995.
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Her topic was the department’s summer lunch program offered at the Montpelier Parks concession stand on weekdays beginning in June. The program is funded entirely on donations from organizations and individuals. This program is definitely needed in the community as statistics show from the school district that over 58 per cent of students are included in the reduced or free lunch program, including children from families qualifying for food stamps or the WIC program.
Sandy explained the process of purchasing and preparing food and selecting menu items for nutritional value and economic value. All food groups are involved with emphasis on high fiber and high protein and the menu is varied as much as possible. Food is purchased locally at a cost of $2.04 per lunch. Last year 1900 lunches were served during the summer and since the program began the total is over 6500. Health department guidelines are followed, and close attention is paid concerning food allergies with peanut butter not served.
The park’s concession stand is equipped with commercial grade appliances and has a food vendor’s license. Participating children numbers vary from day to day with July showing the largest volume. Some area churches also supply health kits made available to those coming for lunch. The Montpelier Parks & Recreation Dept. serves the highest number of summer lunches in the four-county area based on population. Studies show that behavior issues among children are reduced when they have regular meals.
Volunteers are needed at the park’s concession stand from 11:30 until 12:30 p.m. each weekday during the summer to assist with food preparation and serving at lunchtime. Donations are needed for preparation items including brown paper lunch bags, paper napkins, plastic zipseal sandwich bags, plastic forks & spoons, and plastic straws. Food donations are also accepted for applesauce cups, fruit cups and 8 oz. V8 fusion juice. Monetary tax deductible donations can be sent to Friends of Montpelier Park, which is a 501C3 charity. More information is available by contacting Sandy Gordon at her office 419-485-3496.
Following the program, the regular auxiliary meeting was conducted by Vice President Joyce Schelling, in the absence of President Deanna Gipe. After the auxiliary prayer, members answered roll call—“What is your favorite comic strip?”.
Reports were given by the secretary, treasurer, gift shop assistant manager, and recreation, sunshine, magazines, and publicity committee chairmen. More auxiliary members are encouraged to volunteer their time at the Montpelier Hospital gift shop mornings, afternoons or evenings. Barb Dietsch was thanked for her efforts on the newsletter. Jo Clark and Jean Young will take care of patient favors for April.
Volunteers were requested for the spring Book Fair scheduled Monday, April 22nd in the conference room at the Montpelier Hospital. Those planning to assist are Vivian Brown, Nan Byers, Mary Cook, Janet Bennet, Lorna Myers, Joyce Schelling, Deanna Gipe and Armeda Sawmiller.
The annual Auxiliary Appreciation Tea honoring the Montpelier Hospital staff is planned Monday, May 6th from 2-4 p.m. with refreshments provided by the auxiliary members. This will be held during observance of Nurse’s Week May 6-12.
The hospital auxiliary is also planning to purchase and donate more artwork for display at CHWC-Montpelier Hospital from local artists. The next meeting of the auxiliary will be Monday, May 13th at 1 p.m. in the conference room at the Montpelier Hospital. Pam Alpaugh from CHWC-Bryan Radiology Dept. will be guest speaker on mammograms. Roll call will be “A Mother’s Day Remembrance”. Members are encouraged to bring guests. Members should mark their calendars for Monday, June 10th at 12 noon at the Thaman Building at Williams County Fairgrounds, Montpelier. The Williams County Fair Foundation will cater a special luncheon celebrating the hospital and auxiliary’s 60th anniversary and a candlelight memorial service is also planned.
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