Weirton Medical Center recognizes, thanks its auxiliary
Weirton Medical Center recognizes, thanks its auxiliary
VOLUNTEERS — The Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary currently has 17 volunteers who help with raising money for the hospital. Its members held their annual dinner to present hospital administrators with a check in the amount of the money raised throughout the year. Volunteers attending the dinner included, from left, front, Elda Weekley, Dee Krinock, Sondra Weigel, Vivian Weigel, Domenica “Minnie” Malloy, Lola Starvaggi and Barbara Visnic; and back, Joan York, Sue Ball, Kalpana “Kal” Gupta, Cathy Colabrese, Mary Lou Batcho, Paula Billick, Susie Collins and Flo Jonczak. -- Julie Stneger
A GIFT FROM THE HEART — The Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary’s gift shop is another funding source whose proceeds go toward helping the hospital. Manger Roberta Ziemer, left, and Assistant Manager Cindy Ferrari, were part of Thursday evening’s annual auxiliary dinner. -- Julie Stenger
Sondra Weigel, president of the Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary, presented a $35,000 check to hospital administrators during Thursday evening’s annual dinner celebration. Attending the donation ceremony were, from left, Samantha Joyce, human resource generalist; WMC Chief Executive Officer and President John Frankovich; Weigel; and Jim Shockley, chairman of the board of trustees. -- Julie Stenger
Certificates were awarded to four auxiliary volunteers to mark their years of service. The awards were presented to members, from left, Joan York, 20 years; Barbara Visnic, 25 years; Vivian Weigel, 15 years; and Kalpana “Kal” Gupta, 10 years. -- Julie Stenger
AUXILIARY OFFICERS — Four officers of the Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary were recognized for their dedication and in helping to coordinate funding projects to raise money for the hospital. Officers include, from left, Sondra Weigel, president; Elda Weekley, recording secretary; Vivian Weigel, assistant treasurer; and Domenica “Minnie” Malloy, corresponding secretary. -- Julie Stenger
VOLUNTEERS — The Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary currently has 17 volunteers who help with raising money for the hospital. Its members held their annual dinner to present hospital administrators with a check in the amount of the money raised throughout the year. Volunteers attending the dinner included, from left, front, Elda Weekley, Dee Krinock, Sondra Weigel, Vivian Weigel, Domenica “Minnie” Malloy, Lola Starvaggi and Barbara Visnic; and back, Joan York, Sue Ball, Kalpana “Kal” Gupta, Cathy Colabrese, Mary Lou Batcho, Paula Billick, Susie Collins and Flo Jonczak. -- Julie Stneger
A GIFT FROM THE HEART — The Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary’s gift shop is another funding source whose proceeds go toward helping the hospital. Manger Roberta Ziemer, left, and Assistant Manager Cindy Ferrari, were part of Thursday evening’s annual auxiliary dinner. -- Julie Stenger
Sondra Weigel, president of the Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary, presented a $35,000 check to hospital administrators during Thursday evening’s annual dinner celebration. Attending the donation ceremony were, from left, Samantha Joyce, human resource generalist; WMC Chief Executive Officer and President John Frankovich; Weigel; and Jim Shockley, chairman of the board of trustees. -- Julie Stenger
Certificates were awarded to four auxiliary volunteers to mark their years of service. The awards were presented to members, from left, Joan York, 20 years; Barbara Visnic, 25 years; Vivian Weigel, 15 years; and Kalpana “Kal” Gupta, 10 years. -- Julie Stenger
AUXILIARY OFFICERS — Four officers of the Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary were recognized for their dedication and in helping to coordinate funding projects to raise money for the hospital. Officers include, from left, Sondra Weigel, president; Elda Weekley, recording secretary; Vivian Weigel, assistant treasurer; and Domenica “Minnie” Malloy, corresponding secretary. -- Julie Stenger
Trending
WEIRTON -- They have given their time. Coordinated and run fundraisers. Assisted in taking care of patients. Delivered beverages and additional items on coffee carts. Served customers inside the gift shop. And yet, they have never asked for anything in return.
For decades, those who volunteer with the Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary have shared a single purpose -- to help the hospital they cherish give back to others in need. Members of the auxiliary, along with gift shop employees and hospital administrators, met inside one of the hospital's conference rooms Thursday evening for their annual awards dinner.
Those in attendance spoke quietly with one another, talking about their families or the gardens they are growing at home.
Appetizers were eaten. Photos taken. Salad and dinner, served. But it wasn't until the question was asked, as dessert was being brought to the table, to recall a time when volunteering held a special place in their heart, that the women came alive. That is when they began speaking in unison.
Auxiliary President Sondra Weigel began by saying she has been volunteering at Weirton Medical Center since 1990. She noted how time has made a huge difference, citing that today, there are 17 volunteers in the auxiliary. When she first started volunteering, the hospital had 145 adult men and women volunteers, as well as 75 volunteens.
Weigel explained the teenagers who donated their time to working in the hospital were typically known as candy stripers; however, when teenage boys began volunteering, that term was eliminated and replaced with the word "volunteens."
When asked why she believed there is such a dramatic difference in the numbers, comparing 220 volunteers 35 years ago to the 17 volunteers today, she responded this major change has also been the reason why volunteers are not able to raise as much money for the hospital as they have in years prior. Because for all of their efforts, all of the hours they tirelessly work, the end result is all that matters. Being able to gift all of the money raised through the various fundraisers throughout the year to hospital administrators is their ultimate reward.
This year, on behalf of the auxiliary, Weigel presented Chief Executive Officer John Frankovich and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Jim Shockley with a check for $35,000. This was the same amount they were able to give during last year's dinner, as well.
"We are here to support Weirton Medical Center in any way we can," Weigel stated. "Throughout the year, we hold different fundraisers to raise money for the hospital. We have volunteers who work in the gift shop. But our main goal is to be there to work with services and do the fundraising."
Examples of some of the services the auxiliary did for the hospital that are no longer required include working the front desk, filing, birth certificates, attending the desk in the atrium, deliveries, mail and radiology or emergency room departments. Programs have been eliminated, including the Mrs. Bubbles program.
The women remembered the time when volunteers visited elementary schools, with a member dressing in a pink bubble shrink wrap outfit and teaching kindergarteners through second-graders how to properly wash their hands, while singing a song. The length of the song reflected how long to wash their hands in order to practice good hygiene. The women noted a machine was brought in to show children the germs and dirt left behind if not washing their hands correctly.
Many programs are no longer used, the volunteers noted, saying when changes are made to the hospital, the auxiliary has to make changes, as well.
Roberta Ziemer, gift shop manager, and Cindy Ferrari, assistant manager, explained they are paid employees who love working at the hospital.
Ferrari noted she volunteered as a candy striper between 1980-85. Her daughter, along with Recording Secretary Elda Weekley's daughter, were candy stripers as well.
"We receive a lot of customers in the gift shop," she commented, noting the new hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"There really is a lot of support from community residents and we want to be able to help the hospital in any way that we can, as the hospital, in turn, helps give back to the community," she added.
Ziemer has been employed with the gift shop for 16 years, saying she loves her job. "This is the most wonderful job I have ever had," she said. "It is truly enjoyable and if you are a people person and like helping people, it is the best job in the world."
In addition to the money made in the gift shop, the auxiliary held two sales for Robert's medical uniforms, had three $5 jewelry sales and two book sales. Proceeds combined were presented in the check given to administrators, Thursday. While members realize the amount of the donation used to be more, they are pleased with the amount they are able to earn during the year with only having 17 volunteers.
"Over the years, many people have moved away from the area," Weigel stated. "Many have medical issues which affect their ability to no longer be able to volunteer. There are all kinds of reasons people can't volunteer anymore. And we can only do so much. It makes it a little difficult."
Hospital officials stated they are grateful for the auxiliary and appreciate their annual gift. The money helps the hospital to in turn, help the community. Frankovich told those attending the dinner, "We are so appreciative of what you are doing. And we know that gets harder and harder."
Projects the auxiliary has donated money for in the past include mammography for breast care; furnishing the atrium waiting area with furniture and paintings; getting furniture for the main lobby area; remodeling and refurbishing the cafeteria; and the purchase of new containers such as cups and dishes for patients receiving meals from the cafeteria.
During the awards dinner, auxiliary officers were recognized following the check presentation. Officers include: Weigel, president; Weekley, recording secretary; Domenica "Minnie" Malloy, corresponding secretary; and Vivian Weigel, assistant treasurer.
Years of service certificates were presented to those with a milestone anniversary marking the start of their volunteering. Members honored were: Barbara Visnic, 25 years; Joan York, 20 years; Vivian Weigel, 15 years; and Kalpana "Kal" Gupta, 10 years.