Oaklawn Auxiliary donates $26,000 to support hospital activities

MARSHALL – Members of the Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary this week announced donations and grants totaling $26,000 to support hospital activities, and individual volunteers received an array of honors themselves.

At the hospital’s annual appreciation luncheon for auxiliary and hospice volunteers Thursday, April 27, auxiliary Co-President Jo Ducheney presented Oaklawn President and CEO Ginger Williams with a check for $26,000.

The amount represents funds raised over the past year by the organization through its gift shop and many other fund-raising activities, and included $2,000 to support Oaklawn’s annual student art show. The donation to the hospital raised the auxiliary’s cumulative contribution over the years to about $360,000.

Williams expressed the hospital’s appreciation for the monetary donations and for the thousands of hours and countless acts of kindness that the auxiliary’s 180 active volunteers provide for staff, patients and patient families throughout the year.

“You touch our patients, either directly or indirectly,” Williams told the group. “You literally improve their psychological well-being, and provide care to them. You provide thousands of hours of help to them, and I want to thank you for that.”

The program at Cedar Crest Banquet Hall included remarks by auxiliary Co-President Kathy VanDerMeulen and an update by Williams about Oaklawn’s recent achievements and goals.

 Marta Ross, the hospital’s human resources director, echoed that praise, singling out the commitment of long-standing volunteers as well as their compassion and unselfish caring. Deacon Mike Moreno from St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshall gave the invocation.

 VanDerMeulen and Ducheney presented service award pins and supporting member certificates:

One-year pins: Glenn Howard, Robert Jacokes, Linda Jones, Vee Kalnins, Sherrie Kelley, Vicki Laupp, Kathleen Mailloux, Mike Moreno, Karma Pritchard, Shirley Quada, Dorothy Shelters, Wendy Slone, Jo Ann Thompson, Jane Wheat, Melanie Wheeler

Five-year pins: Debbie Carrel, Anita Clifton, DiAnn Godbold, Paul Godbold, Julie Greene, Mert Thomasma, Alice Townsend, Coleen Westerhof

10-year pins: Catherine Hayes, Becky Newhouse, Minnie Short, Traude Waidelich, Shirley Works

15-year pins: Phyllis Bennett-Haeusler, Ruth Edwards, Marlene Kinne, Joan Kohn, Carlene Maisner, Judy Thomas, Carol Thrall, Sherry Winchell

20-year pin: Elaine Noneman

25-year pin: Gloria Hoehne

Since 1951, the auxiliary’s duties have included welcoming patients and visitors at the hospital’s information desks; staffing the gift shop; aiding staff or patients in departments such as the Oncology Clinic and Dialysis; making stuffed toys and tray favors; fund-raising; and assisting at special events such as blood drives, open houses and the annual art show.

 During the past year, the Oaklawn Auxiliary welcomed its first teenage members, according to medical services specialist Jennifer Stapleton, who assists in coordinating the Auxiliary’s activities

Those interested in joining the auxiliary or who wish additional information about becoming a volunteer at Oaklawn Hospital are asked to contact Stapleton at (269) 789-7903, or visit Oaklawn’s website at www.oaklawnhospital.org and click on “Donate Your Time.”

Stapleton said additional volunteers are always welcome but are much needed for oncology and Oaklawn’s information desks.