Auxiliary Gift to Fund New Garden at Medical Arts Center
June 13, 2008
The Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) Auxiliary held its annual dinner meeting in the Hospital’s Bass Room on May 21. As part of the program, FMH President Richard Batt accepted a donation of $23,000 from the Auxiliary for a healing garden on the grounds of the new Franklin Health Medical Arts Center, which will open in July.
Before dinner, Jody Team, a representative of the Texas firm, Thompson and Associates gave a presentation on charitable estate planning and financial planning. In addition, Healthy Community Coalition Interim Director Sandy Richard, gave an update on the new mobile health unit, which will be on display at the Medical Arts Center open house on Sunday, June 29, from 5-7 p.m. The Auxiliary donated $25,000 in 2007 to help replace the original aging vehicle.
An Auxiliary spekesperson announced that its next fund raiser will be a home and garden tour, titled “Hidden Treasures of Western Maine” taking place on Thursday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour will highlight nine residences and is believed to be the first home and garden tour held in the Farmington and Wilton area.
Proceeds from the tour will provide scholarships to FMH nurses wishing to continue their education or to obtain an advanced degree or certification. For many nurses in rural Maine, travel time, expenses, work commitments, and educational loan paybacks are major obstacles in accessing educational programs. By providing financial support to increase nurses’ level of knowledge, the whole community benefits.
Tom Hagerstrom, Franklin Community Health Network director of Human Resources and liaison to the Auxiliary, installed the Auxiliary’s officers: Shannon Smith, president; Joan Masterman, first vice president; Lois Smith, secretary; Judy Farrington, treasurer; Betty Levesque, assistant treasurer; and Regina Ketcheson, second vice president.
Smith presented Trudy Dawson, outgoing president, with a plaque and gift card in recognition and thanks for her five years of service.
The Auxiliary Board convenes at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at Franklin Memorial Hospital, except July and August.
The Auxiliary is always looking for volunteers to staff its gift shop, or anyone who can share their special skills (baking, woodworking, decorating, etc.) to help with its many fundraisers. New members are welcome.
If you have skills that you would like to share, contact Auxiliary President Shannon Smith at 778-4726 or email scsmith@beeline-online.net.
Subscribe to our RSS news feed