An ambulance. Six stackable wheel chairs. This year's $60,000 pledge to the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home.
The Trinity Regional Medical Center Auxiliary made all of that possible so far in 2008.
The Auxiliary, with 363 members, takes on a giant chunk of responsibility through its contributions to the hospital. The greatest share of funds comes from proceeds of the Trinity Gift Shop and the Lifeline program, both run by the Auxiliary, but membership is important, too.
The Auxiliary has started its annual membership drive. Membership is just $5.
''We're lucky to have a facility of this size in the community,'' said membership Chairman Ann Meyer. ''It's a small amount of money to support a health care system everyone benefits from.''
She said an Auxiliary member can be as involved as she - or he - wants to be but is free to do only what he or she wants. Auxiliary members get mailings on everything the Auxiliary is doing, such as the annual bake sale or Angels of Love program, and there is an annual meeting. But, Meyer added, few people show up for the annual meeting.
Forms for becoming an Auxiliary member are available at the volunteer desk at the hospital by talking to Connie Springer.
In 2007, the Auxiliary spent $125,436.55 for equipment purchases, $60,336.23 to promote community health through the Hospice Home and $5,500 to support education. That's more than $191,000.
Among the services provided are surgery companions, tele-care and the Trip to Trinity. Tele-care services monitor Lifeline members, making calls each morning to make sure the person is OK. If there is no answer, the program has a list of people to call, from family to neighbors, to get help.
In the Trip to Trinity program, youngsters are taken on tours through the hospital so if that youngster ever needs to be hospitalized, he has some kind of exposure and isn't as nervous.
Diana Willerth, an Auxiliary board member and the group's community health officer, said the Auxiliary also gives puppet shows to children to promote nutrition and good health.
''Puppets mimic the foods,'' she said. ''We talk about what they should and shouldn't be eating. It's a scripted puppet show that addresses nutritional needs.''
Funds raised during the year by the Auxiliary eventually go back to the community, Meyer said.
''And members have the knowledge they're helping the hospital,'' added Eileen Yung, a board member and volunteer. ''You can be an Auxiliary member without being a volunteer.''
While that's true, Linda Hanson, also a board member and volunteer, said what she heard a friend say has stuck with her through the years: ''Volunteering is the rent I pay for my space on earth.''
Contact Sandy Mickelson at (515) 573-2141 or smickelson@messengernews.net
