December 28th Update
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
The Fairfield Hospital Auxiliary has had quite a busy December with so many of our major projects coming to a wonderful conclusion. In November, volunteers were finishing sewing baby blankets and knitting tiny beanie hats for 150 babies that are born at Carolina East Medical Center during the month of December. Project Baby Blanket has been chaired by Lucille Durst for many years, and she and her wonderful team of volunteers create the most beautiful sets for these precious new bundles of joy. I know this makes many new mamas feel so grateful and blessed that people share their time and talent to do this for them.
On December 6th, the CE Hospital had a Holiday Volunteer Luncheon at the Flame, for the wonderful group of people who volunteer at the hospital, medical buildings, and the auxiliary. It’s a delightful event filled with good food and getting to see old and new friends during the holiday season.
On December 20th we got several of Santa’s elves together to stuff 200 stockings that were hand-sewn by auxiliary volunteers throughout the year. Many volunteers make eyeglass cases, mug rugs, coasters, wash cloths, and picture frames. Other volunteers, local businesses, and our Fairfield Harbour neighbors donate things to put into the stockings, like decks of cards, note pads, pencils, puzzle books, and toiletries. As we all know it must be a sad and difficult time to be in the hospital during the holidays, but especially on Christmas. We hope and pray that that this special effort helps them to feel comforted and loved by their community.
Ruth Blackwell, our Auxiliary Chairperson has been the chair of Project Stockings for several years now, and the entire auxiliary is involved in the many steps that lead up to Santa’s arrival with Mrs. Claus on December 22nd. Dear ol’ Santa has been coming to hospitals for over 50 years and you can see everyone’s’ face light up when he walks into a room. 😊 Because of the risk of Covid and other contagious diseases, Santa was unable to go into each hospital room to give the patients a stocking. Instead, Shaellen Thompson the Manager of Volunteer Services and her assistant Tiffany Caraway walked with Santa and Mrs. Claus to each floor where we delivered stockings to the nurses stations. Leslie Pittman, who is the Director of Volunteer Services and Patient Relations, was a big help too! Even though Santa couldn’t go into the rooms, he still walked down the hallways and wished patients and staff a very Merry Christmas! Many times he stood in patient room doorways waving, jingling his cheerful bells and giving well wishes to eager patients.
The holidays are always such a special time for us, and I know that the baby blankets and stockings that are given to patients gives them a sense of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love… which is what the holiday season is all about.
HAPPIEST OF NEW YEARS TO EVERYONE!
Operation Santa 2023
Stockings arrive just in time for Santa’s visit to CE Hospital patients before Christmas!
(L to R) Linda Neylan (Auxiliary historian), Shaellen Thompson (Volunteer Services Manager), Mrs. Claus, Santa, Tony the elf, & Leslie Pittman (Volunteer Services/Patient Relations Director).
Santa & Mrs. Claus waving & sending well wishes to patients in their rooms. Patients
were so excited to see them & you could see their spirits being lifted by this special visit!
Santa & Mrs. Claus walk down the hallways hand in hand bringing good cheer to one & all.
Santa with Mrs. Claus share happy moments with newborns & CE Medical Center CEO,
Michael Smith. The baby on the right was the 1st & the baby on the left was the 4th child
in their families. Both happy mamas were thrilled with the new baby blankets & stockings
gifted to them by Fairfield Harbour Hospital Auxiliary.
L-R Chair Person Ruth Blackwell, Rhonda Miller,
Patti Dalton & Craig Blackwell stuffing stockings.
2023 HOLIDAY VOLUNTEER LUNCHEON
(Far L to R) Cindy Scalion, Jenny Nebe, & Sue Wolfe, members of the FH Hospital Auxiliary.
(L to R) Sherry Field (gift shop staff), Robin MacRae ( gift shop & auxiliary volunteer), and (Far Right) Audrey Carson (gift shop & auxiliary volunteer).
2023 Baby Blankets
Lucille Durst (L) and Janell Ringuette at CE Hospital
presenting the adorable baby blanket sets.
(L to R) Shaellen Thompson (CE Volunteer Services Manager), Lucille Durst (Baby Blankets chair), Janell Ringuette (Auxiliary Board member), Tiffany Caraway ( Volunteer Services Assistant), & nursing staff for Women’s Pavilion accepting the baby blanket sets made by the FH Hospital Auxiliary.