Joan LeBlanc, left, Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s Auxiliary treasurer, Shari McDonough, foundation executive director, James Millard, hospital president and CEO, and Margret Was, Auxiliary president, gather as the Auxiliary present the hospital with a donation. The Kenmore Mercy Foundation was recently presented with a $60,000 check from the hospital’s auxiliary.

James Millard, hospital president and CEO, and Shari McDonough, the foundation’s executive director, received the donation from Margret Was, president, and Joan LeBlanc, treasurer, of the auxiliary. The money will be used by the foundation for hospital equipment grants.

In previous years, the auxiliary’s monetary support has enabled the purchase of clinical equipment and technology used in various hospital departments, all of which help hospital employees further serve the health of the community. Some items purchased using hospital equipment grants have included a bladder scanner, operating room equipment, and blood pressure modules for the Medical Rehabilitation Unit.

“We feel honored to be able to donate this money to the hospital that will be used by the employees to deliver the best quality of care to our community,” said Was. “We were fortunate to raise the money through our hospital gift shop sales and various vendors, bazaars and basket raffles.”

The Kenmore Mercy Auxiliary is the fundraising arm of volunteer services consisting of more than 150 dedicated individuals who work diligently to increase funding for various Kenmore Mercy Hospital services and programs.

The auxiliary’s Sewing Group holds fundraising events every Monday in the atrium where they sell handmade items; the Ways & Means Committee hosts a number of other creative events throughout the year; and they run and operate the Willow Tree Gift Shop. Fundraising events include jewelry, used and new book sales, dinner fundraisers and used coats sales, among other activities.

The auxiliary is always open to new members willing to use their talents and abilities to help support the hospital.

For more information about the auxiliary, contact Lucille Greico at 836-6564.