Cary Medical Center recently held several hospital-wide activities in celebration of National Hospital Week, including employee barbeques for all shifts, media, clergy luncheons and other events.
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Allyson Masse, president of the Cary Medical Center Auxiliary accepted an appreciation plaque from Rob Kieffer, chairman of the hospital board of directors. Members of the Cary Auxiliary were recognized during National Hospital Week earlier this month, for all they do in support of the local hospital. The plaque will be prominently displayed in the lobby at Cary Medical Center.
During this year’s Hospital Week activities, members of the Cary Auxiliary were also recognized for their numerous contributions and continued support throughout the years.
In addition to being the largest financial supporter in the overall history of the hospital with an estimated $1 million in contributions since the Auxiliary was organized in the mid-1950s, Auxiliary members volunteer their personal time and talents for many projects. From holding fundraising events for many equipment purchases and facility improvement projects, to operating the hospital gift shop and organizing the Annual Walk for Care Breast Cancer Awareness to name just a few, Auxiliary members have continued to actively support the hospital in its commitment to excellence in patient-centered health care and community well-being.
Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development at Cary, said that the hospital gift shop is a remarkable example of volunteerism.
“We don’t believe there is another hospital gift shop similar to the size and scope of Cary’s that is operated on a completely voluntary basis,” said Flagg, who supported the idea of recognizing the hospital Auxiliary during National Hospital Week. “The Auxiliary has done this since the new hospital opened in 1978. This represents thousands upon thousands of hours. The gift shop is a major fundraiser for the auxiliary and the profits go to benefit Cary Medical Center. The shop also provides many unique and quality gift items for visitors, patients and hospital staff,” he added.
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Members of the Cary Medical Center Auxiliary were recently recognized for their continued support and contributions to the hospital, as part of Cary’s National Hospital Week Celebrations. Auxiliary members were presented with a recognition plaque by the Cary Board of Directors that will be prominently displayed in the hospital lobby, and were also presented with thank-you gifts at their annual Auxiliary meeting in May. Attending the annual meeting were Auxiliary members, from left, seated: Shawn Foster, Mary Harrigan, Donna Small, April Caron, Mariel Thomas and Jeannette Corriveau. Standing: Eloise Penny, Dot Wakem, Andrea Gallagher, Barb Collins, Roberta Walton, Allyson Masse, Ellen Corrow, Joanne Cyr and Lee St. Peter. Absent for the photo were Auxiliary members, Margaret Cyr, Gayle Michaud, Barb Aiken, Kim Parent, Marilee Anderson and Betty Walker, hospital/auxilary liason.
While the fundraising done by the auxiliary is critically important to the hospital, Kris Doody, R.N. and Cary CEO said that the organization has provided other benefits as well. “The fund-raising efforts by the Auxiliary members are very important to Cary Medical Center,” said Doody, who provided a year in review during the auxiliary annual meeting. But beyond the fundraising, the Auxiliary and its members over more than 50 years have brought joy and hope to thousands of Cary patients, families, staff and other volunteers. The hospital is forever grateful for their continued remarkable efforts.”
Another very visible hospital-wide project the Auxiliary completed in recent years was a beautification effort entitled, “History of Caribou, A Visual Retrospective” that included the addition of beautiful framed and matted historical prints placed throughout the facility. Auxiliary members continue to hold many fund-raising events, including fashion shows, house tours, quilt raffles, bake sales, and the gift shop sales; and they also provide many programs to serve hospital patients, including hand-crafting pillows for inpatients, crocheting and sewing booties and hats for newborn babies and donating and making items for the traditional New Year’s Basket for the first baby born at Cary in the new year. The auxiliary also decorates Christmas trees during the holidays, this year completing more than 11 trees in various departments.
The Cary Auxiliary members also initiated a renovation and “facelift” project by recently purchasing new furniture and wall décor for the hospital cafeteria now named, the “Cary Café.”
John McElwee, former Caribou attorney, County District Attorney and retired judge was a special guest speaker at the Auxiliary annual meeting held on May 11. McElwee stated that the Auxiliary has historically been a great public relations vehicle for the hospital.
“I was honored to play a role in the development of the new hospital,” said McElwee, who worked on legislation to help create the Caribou Hospital District and served on the hospital’s board of directors. “From the time we began working on the new hospital until this very day, the Cary Medical Center Auxiliary has been a great public relations connection to the communities the hospital serves. It has also been its largest benefactor.”
During the recent annual meeting, the hospital recognized Mariel Thomas, manager of the Cary Medical Center gift shop, who has served in this position for many years and continues in that role. Barb Collins, who has served as gift shop treasurer for the past 15 years was also recognized for her outstanding efforts.
The Cary Medical Center Auxiliary is always looking for new members and women interested in learning more about the Auxiliary can contact Kim Parent at 498-1112.
