Those funds have been raised through the organization’s Angels of Love fundraiser, which is happening now.

First started in 2001, the Trinity Gifts shop at UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center has sold special angel ornaments for donors to honor or memorialize loved ones. The angel ornaments — a new design each year — are available for purchase with a $15 minimum donation. The purchase can be made in memory of or in honor of a loved one. There will be a display board in the Trinity Regional Medical Center atrium lobby where the honorees’ names will be listed alphabetically by donor’s last name.

“The hospital [budget] really focuses on bigger ticket items that can make a big difference,” and the items Angels of Love funds are sometimes considered “fluff,” Nadine Schlienz, chair of the Friends of UnityPoint Health – TRMC committee told The Messenger during last year’s fundraiser. “They are still very important in the patient care aspect and we can help to support that.”

This year, she said, the funds raised will be used to purchase outerwear for the guest services volunteers so they can stay warm throughout the winter as they help hospital patients and visitors into the building.

“We felt that people in the community really appreciate that service,” Schlienz said.

The hospital doesn’t offer valet services anymore, but it did recently launch an electric shuttle vehicle for visitors who need assistance getting from their vehicle in the parking lot to the building’s entrance, and the new outerwear will help keep the guest services volunteers warm as they shuttle visitors and patients back and forth. The shuttle vehicle was purchased by Friends of UnityPoint Health — TRMC.

“We have so many elderly or disabled people that really struggle with getting into the hospital,” Schlienz said.

Last year, the funds from the 22nd annual Angels of Love were used to purchase two new infusion chairs for the Infusion Center, which serves patients who receive IV medications such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, pain management, hydration or nutritional supplements. Angels of Love also helped give a refresh of the patient and visitor waiting area in Cardiology Services.

Other previous purchases funded by Angels of Love include 10 new wheelchairs, an upgraded linear accelerator for the Cancer Center, a bariatric bed, support of valet services and more.

While the Auxiliary orders about 1,000 angels each year and the minimum donation is $15, many donors give much more money, while some give money, but decline taking an angel. There is no limit to how many angels an individual can purchase.

“We start getting calls in early October,” said Connie Springer, volunteer coordinator. “It’s been very well supported by the community.”

Trinity Gifts Shop hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and closed on Sundays. Angels can be purchased and picked up at Trinity Gifts, or for a small shipping fee, the ornaments can be mailed. For more information on the Angels of Love, call 515-574-6656.

Angels By the Numbers

2001 — 394 angels sold, $4,343 raised

2002 — 342 angels sold, $3,360 raised

2003 — 509 angels sold, $4,930 raised

2004 — 515 angels sold, $5,830 raised

2005 — 539 angels sold, $5,984 raised

2006 — 626 angels sold, $6,956 raised

2007 — 565 angels sold, $6,422.50 raised

2008 — 766 angels sold, $8,797 raised

2009 — 783 angels sold, $8,907 raised

2010 — 749 angels sold, $9,244 raised

2011 — 799 angels sold, $9,184 raised

2012 — 747 angels sold, $8,945 raised

2013 — 834 angels sold, $10,713 raised

2014 — 721 angels sold, $8,465 raised

2015 — 905 angels sold, $10,141 raised

2016 — 837 angels sold, $9,415 raised

2017 — 799 angels sold, $9,490 raised

2018 — 969 angels sold, $11,072 raised

2019 — 846 angels sold, $9,750.01 raised

2020 — 682 angels sold, $11,890 raised

2021 — 541 angels sold, $10,165.04 raised

2022 — 644 angels sold, $11,055 raised