Gifford Auxiliary Expands Giving,
Finds ‘Wishes Do Come True’

The Gifford Medical Center Auxiliary has expanded its giving to even more hospital and community programs.

The auxiliary has supported Gifford in Randolph for 102 years, and in the past few years, funding has gone to capital projects, such as the recent Menig Extended Care Facility nursing home expansion, and also children’s books and nursing scholarships.

Late last year, the auxiliary asked hospital employees for a wish list of program materials or other items that weren’t otherwise affordable. On March 10, the auxiliary board held its first quarterly meeting of the year and considered the hospital’s requests to date.

Auxiliary President Sandy Singer announced funding for nearly $13,000 in requests that spanned the ages, noting, "We tried to meet a broad range of needs, some needs that will be met in-house and some in the greater Gifford community."

Items funded include $599 for a covered sandbox and sand for The Robin’s Nest Child Enrichment Center’s infant and pre-toddler play area, and $800 for wall-mounted containers of antiviral/antibacterial wipes to be placed in patient rooms; as well as $1,500 for special IV kits, and accompanying training, to be used on children coming into the Emergency Department with conditions such as trauma or severe dehydration. Also funded was $1,800 in technology for the Adult Day Program and $8,000 for a defibrillator.

The defibrillator is to be placed in an area school and comes with training from Gifford staff. Schools play host to large events, such as games, plays and other assemblies, and having a defibrillator onsite and school staff trained in its use could prove lifesaving. The hospital and auxiliary hope this will be a multi-year project that, in the end, places defibrillators in schools throughout Gifford’s service area, Singer noted. She called the project "a sound investment in the health of our community."

With its $1,800, Gifford’s Adult Day Program in Bethel will buy a Wii system and video games, such as bowling, baseball and golf; a television; and a laptop. The laptop will allow participants to play games and communicate with family and friends via e-mail. The Wii "social gaming" system is meant to help adult day participants, who are older or disabled, move more and interact.

"A lot of the nursing homes have gotten them," Adult Day Director and nurse Judy Santamore said. Santamore envisions Adult Day participants moving more with the Wii, including swinging their arms back to throw a virtual bowling ball or to swing a bat or golf club. 

"It’s going to help with range of motion for them. My long-term goal for them is to have students or community members come in and compete with Adult Program participants," Santamore added. "I’m really thankful that the auxiliary realizes how important the Adult Day Program is for our community. Getting this money enhances our program."

The auxiliary, which makes its money from Thrift Shop dollars, will continue to ask the hospital for wish lists. Singer expressed her gratitude to thrift shop donors, staff, volunteers and patrons for making these gifts possible.

The giving, said Singer, is proof that "wishes do come true."

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