By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

“Celebrating Hammond –Henry Blue Ribbon Volunteers,” was the theme for the day at the annual meeting of the Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary held in First Lutheran Church, Geneseo.

Seventy-five auxiliary members were present at the meeting.

During the business meeting, Carol Johnson, Gift Shop chairman, presented $15,000 to the Auxiliary – funds raised by the Gift Shop volunteer in the last year.

The Auxiliary pledged a total of $35, 514 in 2023 to projects that will benefit patients at Hammond-Henry Hospital. Funds will be used to purchase items including: a floor scrubber for Environmental Services, office chairs for Same Day Surgery, a medical cart for Pharmacy, a draw chair for the Lab, toys and equipment for Pediatric Rehab, oximeters for Cardiac Rehab, work out equipment for Rehab and kitchen equipment for Nutrition Services and Long Term Care.

The Auxiliary also will contribute $25,000 in scholarship funds for local student studying heath care careers.

Auxiliary officers for 2023-2024 were installed as Julie Riney, Geneseo, president; Sue Elliott, Atkinson, vice president; Betty Minteer, Woodhull, secretary; Marsha Jackson, Geneseo, treasurer. Auxiliary board members include Nancy Stover, education; Martha Herron and Mary Jane Causemaker, development; Sue Lopez, gift shop representative; Ellen Scranton, HHH board representative; and past president; Deb Deener, leadership; Karen Humbert, marketing; Julie Zwica and Carol Johnson, membership; Mary Wachtel, nominating; Jan Sellman, scholarship; Christ Ahlstrand, Sunshine, scrapbook; and Barb Baraks and MaryAnn VanDeWoestyne, telephone.

Volunteers completing terms on the Auxiliary Board include Marcia Fleming, Cheryl Radicic, Patty Erickson, Lynne Sebastian and Patty Turner.

Auxiliary membership in the last year was reported as 197 members. It was reported: 9,068 hours recorded by 166 adult and 19 junior volunteers during the last year.

Kathleen VanDeRostyne, Volunteer/Auxiliary Supervisor, said, “A big thank you goes out to the auxiliary members and others for being an important part of this service to the hospital and the community.”

Dave Shannon, interim CEO for HHH, reported on projects happening at the hospital and about the CEO search.

Additional information about the Auxiliary or Volunteer Program at Hammond-Henry Hospital is available by contacting VanDeRoestyne, volunteer supervisor at 309-944-9130.

Staff and volunteers recognized for “milestone” anniversaries this year:

-five years: Bonnie Adams, Julie Atwell, Jeanne Carton, Catholene Gaudet, Carol Johnson, Veronica Minnaert and Joline Olson.

-10 years: Betty Minteer, Judi Nash, Becky Riley and Janet Verplaetse.

-15 years: Shirley Clark, Vivian Downing, Marcia Fleming, Sharon Frank, Anita Maki, Norma Meier, Connie Paris, Barbara Schroeder, Linda Storm, Nancy Stover and Elizabeth Wyffels.

-20 years: Richard Mattan, Mary Miller and Robert Palaski.

-25 years: Cheryl Chamberlain and Linda Roman.

-30 years: Mary Anne Peterson.

HHH awards volunteers and staff for years of service. This includes HHH volunteers who are scheduled and actively volunteer on a regular basis in the hospital.

The Auxiliary awards pins to volunteers based on hours of service and includes hours volunteered at fundraising events and other auxiliary events as well as active volunteer service to HHH departments.

Additional awards presented to Auxiliary members include:

-50 hours – Karen Anderson, Barb Beeson, Mary Ellen Cauwels, Cindy DeSmith, Evelyn Hopkins, Marsha Jackson, Sue Lopez, Penny Nanni, Sheila Shirley and Polly Thune.

-100 hours – Bonnie Adams, Barb Beeson, Cindy DeSmith, Marge Huffman, Karen Humbert, Ginger Jacocks, Sue Lopez, Penny Nanni and Polly Thune.

-200 hours – Jeanne Carton, Sue DeDecker, Cindy DeSmith, Sue Elliott, Patty Erickson, Jean Hahn, Margie Martin and Polly Thune.

-300 hours – Sue Elliott, CiCi Gaudet, Judi Nash, Joy Sherbeyn, Diane State, Linda VanDerLeest and Jim Weisser.

-400 hours – Connie Chrisop, Linda DeSmith, Karen Giffiths and Ilene Hamer.

-500 hours – Marcia Himmelman and Steve Morgan.

-600 hours – Steve Morgan and Jan Sellman.

-700 hours – Vivian Downing, Martha Herron, Judy Kibler, Steve Morgan, Gary Radicic, Becky Riley and Lynne Sebastian.

-800 hours – Steve Morgan.

-900 hours – Steve Morgan.

-1000 hours – Deb Deener, Mary Harris, Betty Minteer and Julie Zwica.

-1500 hours – Mary Bostwick and Betty Kerber.

-2000 hours – Sharon Bianchetta and Marcia Fleming.

-2500 hours – Ellen Scranton.

-3500 hours – Mary Ann Vandersnick.