The FFH Hospital Auxiliary has been busy over this past month making dolls & toys for our pediatric patients, as well as surgical pillows for mastectomy and heart patients. The hospital reported that they need more Afghans, shawls, baby blankets, eyeglass cases, and knitted beanie hats. They even requested readers for patients who want to read during their stay. If anyone has any extras at home (I know I have about five!) 😉 You can drop them off in the box under my mailbox at 5804 Gondolier Drive. Thank you!!
Because so much of what we make involves knitting and crocheting, the Auxiliary will be a Corner Crochet group directly after our meeting on the third Wednesday of the month at 10:30. It is open to anyone at Fairfield Harbour, whether you are a beginner or someone who just needs help with a particular stitch. You will need to bring a J hook or a 6mm crochet hook, and we can provide the yarn. If this becomes a popular gathering, we can always meet more frequently.
I also want to recognize and thank Betty Simenson’s sister, who made 100 hand-knit coasters for the Auxiliary to put into our 2024 Christmas stockings that we give to patients right before Christmas.
We are truly blessed to have so many dedicated friends of the hospital! In the past several years, we have made and stuffed 200 stockings for patients, and this year, we will increase it to 220 to ensure all patients receive this special gift from the Fairfield Harbour Hospital Auxiliary! 😊
The FFH Hospital Auxiliary is hosting another fantastic Bake Sale on April 6th to coincide with the community Yard Sale. We will open in the Community Center at 7:45–11 AM and will sell delicious warm breakfast quiches and casseroles along with our fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon rolls and piping hot coffee. Our volunteers also make sweet baked goods like cakes, breads, brownies, muffins, and an assortment of delectable cookies. We always offer a 50/50 raffle, which is a lot of fun for all, especially the winner. We also have our own booth at the Spring Yard Sale, so please drop by and support our group. We will also accept books and newer magazines at the Yard Sale booth for the hospital library. The money we raise from our bake and yard sales allows the auxiliary to purchase items such as yarn for lap robes, shawls, and baby blankets and material to make surgery pillows, fidgets, and toys.
During the week of April 22nd-27th Volunteers are honored across our nation during National Volunteer Week. Every year, Carolina East Medical Center honors all of its volunteers with a Volunteer Luncheon at the Flame. This year we will all meet on April 22nd and many of the volunteers will receive pins for the number of hours they have volunteered for the hospital. Just to give you an idea of how many hours the FH Auxiliary has generously given of their time in 2023, we are at 10,149 hours! Shaellen Thompson from Volunteer Services shared that the 2023- dollar amount saved by having people volunteer a few hours a week for the hospital was $1,987,436.00! This almost two million dollars can be used for building improvements or much-needed medical equipment, more staff, etc. Not only is this an incredible achievement for our hospital, but also for our little community here in beautiful New Bern!
Well, the Auxiliary is not all work and no play, as this March 27th, we will all share in our Spring Potluck Dinner. Last year was so much fun, and I’m sure this year, Joyce Stull and her team will create a beautiful spread of spring sunshine and joy for our happy little group of volunteers. Everyone will bring their own special dish and we will play some games and of course there are terrific prizes to be had by all! Thank you, Joyce, for always making the evening so enjoyable!
At our last meeting in February, we had three new members join the Auxiliary. Welcome, Judy Gates, Pat Jeres, and Nancy Zetelski! We would love to see new members become involved in our mission to support the hospital and its patients. The FH Hospital Auxiliary meets on the third Monday of most every month, at the Community Center from 9:30 to 10:30. The auxiliary does not hold meetings during the summer months of July and August. It’s a great way to meet new friends and become involved in our community by helping Carolina East Medical Center. Please join us and see what we’re all about. For membership information you may contact our Chairperson, Ruth Blackwell or Judy Gates, and Pat Jeres, Membership Chairs.
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