Oaklawn Auxiliary prepares for kickoff meeting, series of fund-raisers

Members of the Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary are preparing for their first meeting of the fall season, and for a series of fund-raising events to assist the hospital’s mission.

The kickoff meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14 in the large conference room on the third floor of the Wright Medical Building, 215 E. Mansion St., according to Coleen Westerhof, the auxiliary’s co-president.

“We also are looking forward to planning our next Bunco fundraiser, our Tree of Memory ornament sale and holiday bazaar,” Westerhof said.

All those who are interested in learning more about the auxiliary, its activities and how to join the organization are urged to attend, Westerhof said.

Auxiliary members who work in the hospital’s gift shop are planning a special sale at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds during the annual Marshall Historic Home Tour on Sept. 12 and 13, she said.

The sale will take place in a booth in the fairgrounds’ Belcher Building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  both days. Halloween and other holiday items as well as decorative items for the home will be featured.

Also under way are plans for the auxiliary’s “Books Are Fun” fund-raising sale, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, in the  main lobby of the hospital at 200 N. Madison St.

“There will be a variety of things for purchase, such as books for children and adults, educational toys and games, gifts and jewelry,” Westerhof said.

The available books will focus on children’s stories, cooking, New York Times best-sellers, stationery and scrapbooking, music collections, all-age gifts, early learning and educational products, she said.

The auxiliary raises funds throughout the year through sales at the hospital gift shop, and other fundraising events such as popcorn sales, and annual Bunco and “purse Bingo” parties.

This past April, auxiliary members presented donations totaling $30,000 to support hospital activities.

Of that total, $28,000 represented funds raised over the past year through the auxiliary’s gift shop and other activities, and additional money from the organization’s general fund. An additional $2,000 was presented to support the auxiliary’s annual art show, during which hundreds of Marshall students display original works of art at the hospital.

The donation to the hospital raised the auxiliary’s cumulative contribution over the years to about $340,000.

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.

Those interested n learning more about the various events and future auxiliary plans or who wish additional information about becoming an Oaklawn volunteer are asked to contact Jennifer Stapleton at (269) 789-7903, or visit www.oaklawnhospital.org and click on “Donate Your Time.”