Hospital Auxiliary gives back!

by Linda Neylan

Captions: left to right: Santa and Mrs. Claus with hospital CEO, Michael Smith and Director of Patient and Public Relations and Volunteer Services, Leslie Pittman. Children’s stockings filled with toys, games, and fun puzzle books. Ruth Blackwell stuffing stockings, Santa and Mrs. Claus with Shaellen Thompson, Manager of Volunteer Services (L) and Linda Neylan. FFH Hospital Auxiliary Historian (R), Santa with Hospital Service Dog. Oscar, Santa and Mrs. Claus also gave a little cheer and stocking to a couple who were expecting the arrival of their own little bundle of joy!

The Fairfield Hospital Auxiliary volunteers finished the year in a very BIG way, with Santa and Mrs. Claus delivering 200 stockings to patients in the hospital during the Christmas weekend. Santa has been visiting hospital patients for 51 years, and he and Mrs. Claus enjoy every moment.

The auxiliary put these stockings together with care every year, beginning with cutting the stockings and embellishments in May. By the summer and fall, the sewing is complete. All year, the Auxiliary collects new toiletries like toothbrushes, lotions, shampoo, handmade picture frames, key rings, and "mug rugs" for tea & coffee, and decks of cards, pens, notebooks, and puzzle books.

We all know that a hospital stay can be upsetting, but even more so over the holidays. These stockings bring brightness and joy to patients and help ease their souls as their bodies recover and heal.

We also include children's stockings filled with toys, games, and fun puzzle books. Ruth Blackwell, our new Auxiliary Chairperson for 2023-2025, undertakes the organization of this project with many helping hands within the auxiliary. A HUGE thank you goes out to Ruth and the Auxiliary for helping to make hospital stays over Christmas a little happier for patients!

Another gift for the holidays is that auxiliary sewers, knitters, and crocheters make 150 soft warm baby blankets with knitted caps for every new baby born in December. This project is overseen by longtime member Lucille Durst. From left Jane Haeussler, Clare Ostrosky, Lucille Durst, & Janell Ringuette.

The FFH Hospital auxiliary meets on the third Monday of each month at the Community Center from 9:30 to 10:30. It's a great way to meet new friends, become involved in our community, and help Carolina East Medical Center. Please join us and see what we're all about. For membership information, you may contact Ruth Blackwell or Darlene Madorma, Membership Chair.