Helen Billig was selected as this year’s Auxilian of the Year at the Annual Appreciation and Awards Luncheon of the Rainy Lake Medical Center Auxiliary. The event was held at Backus Community Center dining room. Billig was honored for her work and dedication of the hospital gift shop, of which she is chairperson.
Brenda Jones, hospital liaison, welcomed volunteers. Auxiliary president, Beverly Beck, led in the auxiliary prayer.
Volunteer coordinator Sadie Darvell presented the volunteer pins for hours served: Linda Tilander, 120 hours; Connie Lacher, 120 hours; Marcie Rasmussen, 111 hours; and Carol Lagoo, 3,004 accumulated volunteer hours. Honorable mention was noted to those surpassing 6,000 hours of accumulated volunteer hours: Margarete Kostiuk, Sig Hardwig and Sadie Darvell. Others honored were Beverly Beck, Alma Bigler, Helen Billig, Barb Craig, Audrey Dahl, Marguerite Davison, Edna Doris, Joan Frick, Gail Gagnier, Laverne Geer, Pam Hanson, Panetta Jackson, Rose Ann Morin, Sonia Wegge, and Gen Ziemba.
Vera Schumann, chief financial officer, praised the volunteers and expressed the appreciation of the hospital staff. President Beck presented her with a check for use in buying hospital equipment.
The afternoon concluded with a solo by Kostiuk, “God Bless the Volunteers.”
At the May 3 meeting of the auxiliary, President Beck presided and led in the prayer for hospital auxiliaries. Committee reports were given.
Membership chairperson Lacher said the auxiliary has gained 30 new members since Jan. 1.
Gift shop chairperson Billig reported that new items have arrived: belts for jeans, baseball caps, bun warmers, brown sugar disks, jewelry, and baby items such as onesies, blankets and booties.
Scholarship applications have been received and will be reviewed for a scholarship to be awarded to a graduating high school senior who is planning on a health-related career.
It was announced that the Community Baby Shower will be May 25 at the Rainy Lake Medical Center clinic campus. Items donated will be distributed to newborns in the county.
Winners of the door prizes were Sadie Darvell and Beth Johnson.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the auxiliary will be June 7 at the hospital.
