Auxiliary Ambassadors contributed over $42,000 to Fitzgibbon Hospital

April 22, 2016

The Fitzgibbon Auxiliary Ambassadors held their annual banquet on Monday, April 18, at St. Peter Catholic Church. This year marked the 50-year anniversary of the Fitzgibbon Auxiliary Ambassadors, which raises funds through The Gift Shop, an annual bazaar, bake sales, garden “shopping”event, book fairs and other events.

All of the proceeds raised go toward equipment and programs which improve patient care across the Fitzgibbon Hospital organization. Funds are used to purchase “wish list” items for various hospital departments, pay for continuing education for staff and provide scholarships for graduating seniors who seek to enter the medical profession.

This year, the Fitzgibbon Auxiliary Ambassadors raised $42,363.67 through these fundraisers and presented a check to Darin Haug, D.O., President and CEO of Fitzgibbon Hospital. The money raised will be used to fund new technology, tools, medical equipment and security devices for Fitzgibbon Hospital and The Living Center. In addition, Olivia Haug and Kate Wooden received Auxiliary scholarships of $1,500 each, while Amanda Glenski received a scholarship from the Lucille Chevalier Memorial Fund and Friends of Fitzgibbon.

Olivia Haug is a freshman at William Jewell College and plans to work toward a degree in advanced practice pediatric nursing. Her plan is to someday return to Fitzgibbon Hospital upon completion of her training.

Kate Wooden is the administrative assistant at The Living Center and is currently pursuing her degree in Health Information Administration at Stephens College in Columbia.

Amanda Glenski is a recent graduate of Marshall High School and is attending the University of Central Missouri in the pre-med program with a minor in biology.  Glenski hopes to attend medical school after graduation from UCM and practice healthcare in a rural setting.

In addition to the presentation of a check to Dr. Haug, volunteers were recognized for hours of service in the Fitzgibbon Hospital Gift Shop, as greeters at the hospital’s front desk and during other events. The top five Auxiliary Volunteers for 2015 were:

Heather Arth (410 hours), Nellie Bailey (222 hours), Barbara Pennock (193 hours), Carla Fricke (165 hours), Kathy Williams (101.25 hours). In all, Auxiliary volunteers amassed 3,087.50 hours of service in 2015, filling a vital role in the patient and visitor experience at Fitzgibbon.

There was no installation of officers this year, as President Marty Webster, Recording Secretary Jacque Hare, and Historian Janet Bryan will continue their terms through 2016. Marty Webster presided over the recognition banquet.

The banquet theme was based on the 1960s. That decade was in full swing when individuals met to organize an Auxiliary Ambassadors program at Fitzgibbon Hospital in 1966. The decorations and music all reflected the "groovy" theme, and the attendees got to hear from “Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show” favorites, the Great Carnac the Magnificent and Ed McMahon in a skit played by Ginger McGraw, Fitzgibbon Gift Shop coordinator, and Donna Smith, Auxiliary coordinator.

Since its inception, the Fitzgibbon Hospital Auxiliary Ambassadors organization has contributed nearly $800,000 to Fitzgibbon Hospital. Membership in the organization costs just $15, and all are welcome. You can find out more information by calling (660)886-3257.