Showing the check from the LaPorte Hospital Auxiliary are (from left) Marcia Morris (philanthropy chair), Jeanene Keene, LaPorte Hospital Foundation Executive Vice President/COO Maria Fruth, LRHS President/CEO G. Thor Thordarson, Lois Eversman, and Shirley Duerr. (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
The LaPorte Hospital Auxiliary presented its annual philanthropic donations at a special celebration on Jan. 27, 2010, providing $72,572 to LaPorte Regional Health System (LRHS) for clinical equipment, patient items and community services.
The auxiliary, in conjunction with the LaPorte Hospital Foundation, granted the donations through a “wish list” generated by various hospital and health system departments.
Departments receiving donations included Maternal Care, which received a total of $54,594 for future growth. The donations will fund labor and delivery beds for mothers to use during their entire stay, wireless fetal monitors, infant warmers, newborn bassinets, guest sleeper sofas, and glider chairs.
Director of Maternal Care Ann Darrah, RN, and Rayetta Lerch, RN, accepted the donations at the celebration held at LaPorte Hospital. To mark the donation, approximately 25 attendees participated in a mock baby shower decorated with pink and blue stuffed animals and cookies.
“The LaPorte Hospital Auxiliary’s support benefits our patients by updating our equipment, helping families feel more comfortable during their stay and deliver healthy babies. We greatly appreciate the auxiliary’s help,” Darrah said.
Other donations included: $5,000 to the Center for Better Breathing for free education for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients to better manage their disease; $4,578 to Wellness and Rehabilitation for equipment to provide medical screenings for community members; $4,400 for infusion recliner chairs to add comfort to daily infusion outpatients; and $4,000 for ED’s Kids bags — age-appropriate toys for children visiting the Emergency Department.
G. Thor Thordarson, LRHS president/CEO, thanked the auxiliary for their commitment to health care. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and patients, thank you for your generosity and dedication to the health and well-being of the community.”
The La Porte Hospital Auxiliary supports LRHS by providing volunteer services and funding philanthropic projects with profits from the Wishing Well Gift Shop, as well as various fundraisers conducted within the hospital. The philanthropic gifts help support the organization’s mission in making a positive difference in communities LRHS serves.
For more information, call (219) 326-2338 or visit www.laportehealth.org.
Pictured are (from left) Marcia Morris (philanthropy chair), Jeanene Keene, Rayetta Lerch, RN, Ann Darrah, RN, Lois Eversman, and Shirley Duerr. (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
