Union Hospital Auxiliary makes donation
Jenifer Ress, second vice president, left; Tiffini Simon, first vice president; Angie Thomas, president; Bruce James, president of Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital; Susan Mosher, assistant treasurer; and Linda Clawson, corresponding secretary.
Despite the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic that canceled nearly all of its normal fundraising projects in 2020, the Union Hospital Auxiliary has made a $138,000 donation to Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital.
“I have said I should be astonished that the auxiliary was able to do something like this in the midst of the pandemic, but obviously I am not,” Union Hospital President Bruce James said. “No matter the challenges, trials and tribulations in front of them, the auxiliary and its leadership always find a way to success, and that in turn supports the hospital, our caregivers and our patients. To say thank you is not nearly enough, it appears, but we are so grateful for this kind of support right here in our community.”
Angie Thomas, president of the auxiliary, said the community’s support over the past year for the limited number of events that could be held, especially the modified 27th annual Warther’s Christmas Tree Festival, was very gratifying.
“We were not sure what to expect as the year unfolded, and we had to cancel so many of our routine and popular fundraising events,” Thomas said. “But the community stepped up again when it could, and our auxiliary members pledged early on that they would adjust and do everything they could to continue to support the hospital and the community.”
The auxiliary’s donation will provide for the purchase by the hospital of 13 new patient beds, four vital sign patient monitors and a mobile monitor cart, Thomas said.
“We continue to be committed as an organization to assisting the hospital to provide patients with the very best care possible, which includes appropriate patient-care equipment and other improvements and enhancements,” Thomas said. “It is especially gratifying to be able to assist the hospital through the purchase of these items this year.”
Since its organization in 1949, the auxiliary has donated nearly $4.9 million to the hospital. In the past eight years alone, the auxiliary has donated a total of more than $1.7 million ($1,724,147) to the hospital.
In 2020 the auxiliary made a record annual donation to the hospital of $265,000. The funds from that donation were earmarked by the auxiliary to be used by the hospital to assist it with needs related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The auxiliary also normally hosts a luncheon to celebrate the success of the past year’s fundraising events, recognize its members and project chairpersons, and make the annual donation to the hospital. The luncheon for this year has been canceled.
The auxiliary is reviewing its routine fundraising projects for the remainder of this year and will make announcements as they are scheduled. It did hold its annual Hanging Basket Sale earlier this month and reported it was an overall success.
Planning also is under way for the 28th annual Warther’s Christmas Tree Festival, which is scheduled Nov. 13-21 at the Ernest Warther Museum and Gardens at Dover. More details are expected to be available later this summer. The auxiliary also operates the Corner Shop gift shop located just inside the entrance to Union Hospital.
The auxiliary welcomes new members and ideas for fundraising events and programs. For more information contact any auxiliary member.