Auxiliary elects officers, names chairpersons at annual meeting

Officers leading the Auxiliary at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese for the next fiscal year were elected at the organization’s annual meeting Thursday, June 24, at the Breese American Legion.

Serving the organization through June 30, 2011, will be President Mary AuBuchon of Aviston, Vice-President Judy Poettker of Germantown, Treasurer Carol Gehrs of Breese, Recording Secretary Marge Widman of Carlyle and Corresponding Secretary Nellie Wieter of Breese along with Past President Joanne Ritzheimer of Trenton.

Nominating Committee Chairperson Carolyn Mamino of Fairview Heights and Carolyn Gnaedinger of Pocahontas announced nominations and ran the election. Mamino then issued the oaths of office to those attending and to Gehrs via telephone—possibly a first for the organization.

During the session—the Auxiliary’s 42 nd annual—hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Klosterman thanked the membership for their hard work and dedication.

“You should be proud of what you provide to the hospital every day and every year,” Klosterman said. “Without your support and dedication, things that were accomplished would not have happened, could not have happened.”

Committee chairpersons for the coming year were also announced including, of Aviston, Frank Hogg – Audit; of Breese, Katie Schrage – Bake Sale,  Marianne Wade – Gift Shop, Wilma Sullivan – Health Advocacy, Margaret Jakel – Membership, Joann Timmermann  and Theodora Wilke – Quilting, Nancy Renschen – Scholarship, and Connie Frankovich and Jeannie Weber – Ways & Means; of Carlyle, Rosemary Ashford – Stuffed Animal Recycling, Marge Bretz – Gift Shop and Matt Bretz – Floral Arrangements; of Fairview Heights, Carolyn Mamino – Nominating; and, of Pocahontas, Carolyn Gnaedinger – Used Book Fair.

Judy Schrage is Volunteer Services Director and Yvonne Ratermann is department secretary and Auxiliary Public Relations chair; both are from Breese. Kathryn Mines of Carlyle is the administrative liaison.

In addition to election of officers, annual reports were read and approved.

Membership totals 443 including 52 honorary  and 38 associate members.

A total of 71 baby and big quilts were sold for a net total of $12,129, the Gift Shop netted $10,457 and the used book sale resulted in $19,027.05. More than 6,000 stuffed animals were cleaned, re-accessorized and distributed, 4,419 plastic water and soda bottles were recycled and a quarter-ton of paper was recycled into note pads.

In addition to the business meeting, $500 grants-in-aid, given in memory of an Auxiliary member or friend, were presented to 20 students pursuing healthcare careers.

This year’s event carried an “In The Kitchen” theme and a number of those attending wore aprons which were judged at the close of the meeting. The winners went home with kitchen-related attendance prizes.

For information on the Auxiliary or hospital volunteer opportunities, contact 526-5351 or e-mail Judy Schrage.