GMH Auxiliary Christmas Bazaar is Nov. 30, Dec. 1
The Guttenberg Hospital Auxiliary will have this handcrafted, patriotic-themed quilt available for silent auction bids during their annual Christmas Bazaar and Cookie Walk scheduled for Nov. 30 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Dec. 1 from 9 a.m.-12 noon. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
The Guttenberg Municipal Hospital Auxiliary has been an out-stretched hand from the community to the hospital for generations. This organization's beginnings originated with the creation of the first hospital located on River Park Drive. "Louise Nuehring was one of the founding members," stated current president Karilyn McArthur.
McArthur fondly remembers her mother's commitment as an Auxiliary member. "The membership fees were two dollars to join at the time. There was always a fundraiser with cooking around the Christmas season. The group took care of whatever the hospital's needs were," states McArthur.
This ambitious group of community volunteers hosts a long list of events, with all proceeds going directly to the hospital.
Each year the Auxiliary holds its annual cookie walk and bake sale. This year's event will be held on Friday, Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. (Please note the change in time from the ad in last week's issue). The location is the hospital atrium, and the event is open to the public.
In assortment of delicious baked items including pies, cakes, breads, muffins, jams, jellies and cookies will be available to purchase.
This year a special addition has been included in the event. A beautiful red, white and blue queen-size handmade quilt has been donated to the Auxiliary for a silent auction.
In addition to the cookie walk, the Auxiliary provides monetary gifts to The Giving Tree Project. This program provides monies to a secret Santa to purchase items for families in need during the holiday season.
The Guttenberg Municipal Hospital gift shop is an ongoing source of revenue for the Auxiliary.
staff of dedicated volunteers under the management of Cheryl Simmons works shifts in three-hour increments to keep this successful gift shop operational. All proceeds from this tax-exempt store, excluding the manager's wage, are directed toward the needs of the hospital. The shop offers a wide variety of gift items sure to please the shopper. The gift shop is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
"Taco Tuesday" meal is organized monthly at the hospital. Hospital staff and the public are invited to participate in this event. Walking tacos are sold for $5.
Each year during the Easter season the Auxiliary hosts its annual Easter baskets event. The community can purchase an Easter basket carefully put together with an assortment of healthy and not-so-healthy Easter goodies. These baskets are available for the community to purchase and can be picked up or delivered.
Each year in October a vendor from the Cedar Falls area sets up a display for the dedicated staff of the hospital to purchase uniforms.
All these efforts raise money to support a variety of programs at the hospital.
The Auxiliary has a scholarship program awarding three $500 scholarships to anyone already in the medical field who desires to further their education.
Recently this hard-working group has donated money toward the purchase of a 3-D mammogram machine, a special chair to meet the needs of patients and a popcorn machine for the staff, just to name a few.
The Hospital Auxiliary meets the last Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. Anyone in the community interested in becoming a part of this beneficial group may contact Karilyn McArthur at 252-3312 or e-mail her at karilyn@alpinecom.net.
