Backus at a Glance

Auxiliary 83rd Annual Report 2005 - 2006

President's Message | Committee Reports | Board of Directors

The President's Message

This marks the Backus Hospital Auxiliary’s 83rd Annual Report, and concludes another successful and productive year. We continue to provide a helping hand in promoting the health and welfare of our community through our Hospital.

The past year has been a very productive one for the Backus Auxiliary. We conducted two major fund-raising events: a Desserts, Cards and Game Party, taking place in the Hospital cafeteria, and our second Annual Miniature Golf Tournament held at the picturesque Odetah Campground. Once again, our thanks go out to the Adelman family for their generosity and assistance in making this a very successful event. The proceeds from these events, together with the profits from regular vendor sales, dues of our membership, the Canteens and the Gift Shop have allowed us to fulfill some of the needs of the Hospital.

I am very proud to announce that the Backus Hospital Auxiliary has paid $120,000 of our $600,000 pledge to the Hospital’s BackusCare campaign, which will be paid over the next 4 years. This adds to the legacy of giving on the part of an organization that has helped the Hospital throughout its history. We are truly dedicated to providing a myriad of services to the Hospital’s family-at-large.

Our Gift Shop is open 7 days/week to afford shopping convenience for visitors and staff. The two Canteens, which we oversee, offer staff and visiting family members light refreshments. Auxilians additionally provide a Gift Cart that offers patients reading materials and gift items, Backus Buddies that provide hand-crafted stuffed animals for our younger patients, and a File of Life, a packet designed to provide a medical profile in case of emergency.

Additionally, the Auxiliary continues to provide after-surgery camisoles for cancer patients who desire them. Further, we offer cure-chiefs, a hand-sewn head dressing for chemotherapy patients. Two $2000 scholarships were awarded to high school graduates pursuing studies in a health-related field. The tray favor program is supported by volunteers from area organizations who provide small favors for patients’ trays at various holidays. Our two Open Meetings give members and non-members alike an opportunity to become familiar with the goals and achievements of the Auxiliary.

All of the Auxiliary’s accomplishments are the result of the commitment, dedication, and talents of the numerous individuals who are always there to pitch in. None of these services would be possible without the people who give of themselves to provide them. It is very difficult to believe that this marks the conclusion of my term of office as your President of the Backus Hospital Auxiliary. The past two years have flown by! I wish to personally thank the officers of the Auxiliary, the chairpersons of our Standing Committees, our paid employees, the volunteers who staff and stock the Gift Shop and Gift Cart, and all of our members who either volunteer or support our fund-raising events, plus all of the other generous caring individuals who support our goals. I know that I leave the Presidency in good hands as Jan Stewart, our President-elect, takes over. Her dedication to Backus Hospital is deserving of our support.

- Jamie Block

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