By BRENDA JONES
The Rainy Lake Medical Center Auxiliary Luncheon was took place April 5 at Lenard’s. Receiving pins for service milestones were: Marguerite Davison, 5,000 hours of service; Margarete Kostiuk, 7,000; Audrey Dahl, 500; and Mary Ann Lien and Sonia Wegge, 100. A total of 5,067 hours was logged by auxiliary volunteers serving RLMC in 2011.
Two Lifetime Auxiliary Membership Certificates were awarded to Alma Bigler for 41 years of service and Margarete Kostiuk for 33 years of service.
This year RLMC was presented a check for $3,500 from the auxiliary. With last year’s donation of $3,500 there will be enough to purchase another Carroll Spirit Safety Bed for the hospital. This bed has proven itself as an important tool in saving patients from falls and giving them comfort. It also helps the nursing staff work safe and efficiently.
This year’s volunteer nominees were: Alma Bigler, Sadie Darvell, Joan Frick and Carolyn McDougall.
The Volunteer Recognition Award went to Sadie Darvell. The following are highlights from the three nominations:
Audrey Dahl wrote, “Sadie has been an active member almost since the beginning of the auxiliary. She is in charge of the working volunteers for the gift shop and any position where someone is needed. She keeps all records of hours worked by each volunteer. She always accepts the calls with a pleasant reply and if she needs to, she fills in herself!” Sonia Wegge wrote, “Sadie puts in many hours keeping records for the auxiliary as well as scheduling. When volunteers need information regarding projects or need a day off — a call to Sadie answered with a pleasant hello and a day off as well as the answer to our questions.” Linda Zahn added, “Sadie always has a smile and if asked a question goes the extra mile to find you an answer. She has been an auxilian for many years and always a joy to work with.”
Volunteer of the Year is Joan Frick. Highlights from the three nominations follow:
Helen Billig wrote, “Joan has been dedicated to her position in the RLMC Auxiliary for many, many years. She works for the Orthopedic Outreach doctors. She handles the paper work, serves coffee and chats with patients so their time here is more enjoyable. On “Bake Sale Day” you can always count on Joan to be there ready to help wherever she is needed.” Marguerite Davison gives 10 reasons for nominating Joan — following are the top three: 3) Whenever she had a day off from her volunteer station, people ask for her; 2) She works quietly and is unassuming — works well with others; and the number one reason for nominating Joan is, I think Joan exeplifies our prayer for hospital auxiliaries to ‘help all patients to the best of our ability, to give comfort and understanding and a friendly smile to all we may encounter and in service to our community.’” Gail DeVall adds in her nomination, “She arrives early and stays late. She greets patients and makes sure all their forms are properly filled out.” Gail goes on to tell us that even when Joan is in pain she never complains, but smiles and says, “It’s okay.” Gail finishes her nomination by saying, “In my opinion, she always goes ‘above and beyond!’”
Auxiliary volunteers were treated to new aprons with their “teal” logo and all luncheon guests received a teal crocheted flower.
