Highlands Hospital Auxiliary was formed in 1924 and has contributed an amount over $450,000.00 to the hospital.
The purpose of the auxiliary is to render services to Highlands Hospital and its patients and to assist the hospital in promoting the health and welfare of the community.
The Auxiliary is a broad-based group of members representing a variety of interests and talents. Membership is open to both men and women of all ages. Individual talents are always recognized and utilized within committees for the Auxiliary projects.
Throughout the year we have a number of fund-raising activities – some annual and some that are new each year, including a spring Luncheon and Style Show with Chinese Auction, Book Sales (Spring and Fall) Jewelry Sales (spring and Fall) Bake Sales, and Festival of Christmas Trees. Other fund-raising activities are also held during the year. From these fund raisers we have been able to make a sizeable contribution to the John P. Murtha Wellness Center, helped with the renovation of the hospital second floor, the emergency room and signage throughout the hospital; helped to purchase the hospital van for Highlands Healthride, monthly donations for mental health activities and fuel for Highlands Healthride. Most recently we donated the money for a new utility van.
We currently provide BooBoo Babies for children who come into the hospital lab, x-ray department or emergency room for treatment which are made by auxiliary members and friends of the auxiliary. Anyone who is interested in participating in this project would be more than welcome and may contact any auxilian for more information.
The auxiliary also runs the hospital gift shop and is always looking for volunteers to work there.
The gift shop is open Monday through Friday,9:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m.
Current Officers of the Auxiliary include:
Kitty Reed-Strawn, President
Doris Sparks, President Elect
Dorothy Ridgeway, Vice President
Paulette Friguglietti, Treasurer
Loretta Prinkey, Secretary
The Auxiliary meets on the first Monday of the month, excluding holidays, September through June. We do not meet during July and August.
Annual dues are $10.00.
Highlands Hospital Auxiliary recently made a donation of $44,300 to Michelle Cunningham, hospital CEO for the following projects: new chairs for the Diabetes Center and other areas of the hospital, kiosks for employee information/education, convection oven for the dietary department, recessed electric projector screen for the Board/Education Room, new blinds, wall coverings, chair rails and paint to enhance the patient care experience, Acumen Device that assists staff with difficult blood draws or IV starts to minimize pain for patients, Vendor Kiosk that is required by Joint Commission to ensure patient safety, new patient bathroom in the Radiology Area, and two new geriatric chairs. “On behalf of the board of trustees and hospital staff and administration, “we are deeply appreciative for all the volunteer hours that our auxiliary put in to helping Highlands Hospital be a vibrant thriving community hospital. Thanks to their efforts many services are being enhanced to better serve our patients said hospital CEO, Michelle Cunningham.”
