Auxiliary donations support Surgery and Women & Infant Center
June 10, 2022
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese held a breakfast for its Auxiliary members in May during National Hospital Week and honored their volunteers for their services to the hospital.
Following a blessing by Rev. Chance Beeler, manager of mission integration, and introductions by Chris Gebke, director of volunteer services, remarks were offered by Joel Tucker, pharmacy director and senior leader of volunteer services. In his remarks, Tucker thanked the volunteers, noting the total volunteer hours in 2021 was the equivalent of five full-time colleagues. He expressed his appreciation by sharing with those gathered, “The service we provide wouldn’t be possible without all of you.”
At the appreciation event, the Auxiliary also made check presentations to hospital department representatives to assist them in enhancing their services to the community. The Auxiliary donations were funded from proceeds from the Gift Shop, quilt raffles, book sales and other activities.
Together with the Share organization at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Auxiliary and Share representatives presented a combined donation of $14,000 to the hospital for their Women and Infants Center. The donation will purchase an additional enhanced infant warmer, which will help the more than 500 babies born at the hospital each year, as a warmer is used after every delivery. Share, a support group for anyone who has lost a baby, used proceeds from their annual fall walk-a-thon for their part of the donation.
The Auxiliary also presented a donation of $7,000 to the hospital’s surgery department for equipment which will assist with colonoscopies procedures. The hospital will use the funds for a carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation device and a new monitor.
The Auxiliary is a volunteer organization committed to promoting and advancing the welfare of St. Joseph’s through public relations, services to the hospital and fundraising. Membership is free of charge and open to all. While volunteer service is not a requirement of membership, there are many volunteer opportunities available for those who want to provide service. For more information on volunteering, contact Chris Gebke, director of volunteer services, at 618-526-5351 or email Christine.Gebke@hshs.org.
Photo Captions:
Top Photo: The HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese Auxiliary recently presented a donation of $7,000 to the hospital’s surgery department for equipment which will assist with colonoscopies procedures. On hand for the presentation were (left to right) Joel Tucker, pharmacy director and senior leader of volunteer services; Emily Wilson, major gifts officer of HSHS St. Joseph’s Foundation; Mandi Ennen, interim president and CEO, and chief nursing officer; Joann Timmermann, Auxiliary treasurer; Ann Olliges, Auxiliary president; Danielle Trame, director of surgery and radiology; Serra Morton, women and infant services director; and Chris Gebke, director of volunteers.
Lower Right: Together with the Share organization at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese, the HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary recently presented a combined donation of $14,000 to the hospital for their Women and Infants Center to purchase an additional enhanced infant warmer. Accepting the donation were (left to right) Joel Tucker, pharmacy director and senior leader of volunteer services; Mandi Ennen, interim president and CEO, and chief nursing officer; and Serra Morton, director of women and infants services, with the check being presented by Karen and Scott Gebke from Share; and Ann Olliges, Auxiliary president.