(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Gift Shop in the Ketchikan Medical Center lobby is a treasure.

Not only can shoppers find a trove of interesting items to give - and keep – but proceeds from the Shop are reinvested in KMC through grants for equipment and projects. Almost a half million dollars has been donated since 2000.

Each year at the Annual Volunteer Luncheon, Auxiliary members and other volunteers decide how to allocate proceeds from the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center Gift Shop. This year the Auxiliary had approximately $40,000 available.

Gift Shop and Hospice volunteers attending Saturday's annual luncheon.
Photo courtesy KMC

At Saturday's luncheon, the Auxiliary voted to fund:

• Four baby bassinets for New Beginnings Birthing Center ($4800)

• Post-partum education booklets for New Beginnings ($1000)

• LifePak training equipment for the Education Department ($10,000)

• An Apple iPad and special apps for Speech Therapy ($1000)

• A Tympanometer that screens for hearing issues for Pediatrics ($3500)

• A Electrocardiograph (ECG) for the Thorne Bay Clinic ($8,000)

• A specialized stretcher for the Emergency Department ($11,500)

• Education Materials for Home Health ($500)

• Smoking cessations materials for Respiratory Therapy ($1100)

• Ten Baby Boxes for newborns through Women’s Health/New Beginnings ($1500)

In the midst of celebrating another successful year at the Shop, the Auxiliary also took time to mourn the passing of long-time volunteer Donna Teal who died February 9. “She was a very unique lady who was kind and caring with a strong faith in all things good,” said Carolyn. “She is missed by many and especially by her coworkers in the gift shop.”

Caregivers Dawn Hink, Sharon Clarkson RN and Ivy Riste from PHMG Surgery made a surprise entrance bearing cupcakes (with hats!), flowers and kind words for Donna. As you would expect, there were tears of sadness and gratitude.

Carolyn Wilsie was reelected President of the Auxiliary, a position she’s held since the beginning of the organization in 1994 when the Gift Shop was a tiny cubby in the Ketchikan General Hospital lobby. Also reelected were Margaret Lynne Vice President, Gloria Manuel Treasurer and Marty West Secretary.

The Gift Shop is open weekdays from 11-4 and often on weekends. New items are added frequently to the shop including baby toys and clothing, snacks, purses, socks, jewelry and scarves. Volunteers are urgently needed. If you are interested please stop by the Shop for information.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News: 

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center
www.peacehealth.org/ketchikan

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Ketchikan, Alaska

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