St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary Announces Scholarship Winners and Presents Donation

The HSHS St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary held its summer general membership meeting on July 17 in the hospital auditorium with members enjoying a dinner catered by the hospital’s food and nutrition department and the opportunity to socialize with fellow Auxilians.

The Auxiliary hosted the four recipients of their continuing medical scholarships and their families as their guests. Scholarship Committee Chair Denise DeLaCruz announced the following scholarship recipients who each received a $1,000 scholarship: Lauren Monke of Litchfield, nursing student at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville; Finley Riley of Palmyra, physical therapy student at Missouri State University; Victor Buehler III of Staunton, nursing student at Eastern Illinois University; and Riley Heyen of Litchfield, nursing student at Illinois College.

Paula Endress, Philanthropy Program Manager, also recognized the following volunteers for achieving service milestones: 100 hours – Theresa Duncan, Elisa Feldmann, Suzanne Fleming, Beth Martin and Rhonda Weatherford; 200 hours – Lisa Heyen, Marla Holderread, Linda Maulding and Jan Smith; 300 hours – Susan Akalan, Lou Ellen Anderson, Denise DeLaCruz and Tammy Land; 400 hours – Linda Cruthis; 500 Hours – Rita Bryant and Donna Spencer; 600 hours – Gwen Barcum and Nancy Hyam; 700 hours – Judy Sneed and Patti Waggoner; 800 hours – Sylvia Boehme and Paulette Marten; 1000 hours – Jane Martin; 1400 hours – Jan Johns; 3800 hours – Jeanne Banovic; 4400 hours – Joann Tabaka;, and 4700 hours – Dorothy Stierwalt. Totaling all these hours is an astounding 23,400 hours. Endress thanked all the volunteers for their efforts on behalf of the hospital.

Another special part of the event was when Jeanne Banovic, Volunteer Coordinator of the Auxiliary’s Gift Shop, presented a check to the hospital for $12,751.11 for proceeds from the Gift Shop. These funds will benefit the hospital’s Family Maternity Center. The Gift Shop operates Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is operated solely by volunteers for the benefit of the hospital and its patients and visitors.

Auxiliary President Gwen Barcum expressed her thanks to all volunteers for their service, especially for supplying desserts for the drive-thru dinners this summer, and for their work on the special Auxiliary’s cookbook being done in honor of the hospital’s 150th anniversary. Over 300 recipes were submitted by Auxilians, colleagues, former colleagues, Sisters and HSHS System Leadership. The cookbook will be available for sale in the Gift Shop this fall.

Members enjoyed playing a historical game created by auxilian and program chair Beth Martin, regarding the hospital’s 150th anniversary. One winner at each table received a special commemorative poster depicting photos of the hospital’s origins.

Persons interested in becoming a member of the hospital’s Auxiliary are encouraged to contact Gwen Barcum at 217-324-2191 for more information. Barcum said, “We are always hoping to increase our membership. The time spent allows us to foster special friendships and be present for special functions at the hospital. We truly are excited to be part of the 150th anniversary celebration this year. Remembering family and friends who have benefited from the hospital services is enlightening.”

For more information about HSHS St. Francis Hospital, visit stfrancis-litchfield.org.