LOCK HAVEN - They remember when the local health facility was a community hospital. They have seen administrators come to town and eventually, welcomed new ones in their place.
But over the years, regardless of administrative changes, members of the Lock Haven Hospital Auxiliary have kept their eyes on their mission of building the future.
The volunteer organization raises funds and uses them to further two aims. The short-term goal is to provide items to make patients' stays as pleasant as possible. However, the auxiliary's main focus, President Emily Monoski said, is on its scholarships to young people, a long-term investment in the future of health care.
The auxiliary's biggest fundraiser is its gift shop in the hospital lobby. The members keep it open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays.
A Customer Appreciation Day Sale is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 8 when a 20-percent discount is offered for all items except Webkinz, candy, cards and flowers. Selected items will be 50 percent off. (Payroll deductions are available for hospital employees.)
Refreshments will be served as part of the special event, Auxiliary President Emily Monoski said.
The shop offers beautiful handmade baby gifts, many of them created by the Knotty Knitters of Senior Circle, sponsored by the hospital.
Also on the shelves are jewelry, glass miniatures, books, toys, snacks and a wide variety of other items to brighten patients' days or to delight shoppers looking for just the right thing at a nice price. And, yes, there is an array of Webkinz to choose from. A new cooling unit outside the shop's doors showcases flower arrangements available for purchase.
Just stopping by the shop on your way in or out of the lobby and buying a candy bar will benefit the auxiliary's scholarships and other projects.
The group recently used some of its funds to furnish a residents' lounge in the extended care unit. Other recent donations were:
n Four wheelchairs
n Geriatric chairs for ECU patients
n Plants for ECU residents to plant this past spring
n Shrubbery and landscaping at the rear entrance of the hospital
n Tables and chairs for the hospital's new Community/Senior Circle Room.
The auxiliary meets monthly on a weekday, and regular attenders are officers and a handful of other faithful members. Officers include JoAnn Marcinkevage, vice president; Judy Carpenter, secretary; and Gerry Straub, treasurer.
The group has 150 members on the books, Monoski said, men as well as women.
"I remember as a child, the hospital auxiliary was a great organization and it was comprised mostly of doctors' wives who were very, very active," she said. "Now it's made up of members of the community."
Dues are low: $5 for two years or $50 for a lifetime membership. Lifetime members' dues are invested to support the scholarships, and gift shop proceeds are now added to the awards.
High school seniors planning to pursue a career in health care may apply for the scholarships. However, forms won't be available for the next round until February, said Myla Magent who co-chairs the scholarship awards with Joanne Black. Students who would like more information may call Magent at 769-6931.
Right now, the auxiliary is gearing up for the gift shop sale, to be followed by one of the group's semi-annual book sales, set for Thursday, Oct. 7. Books, CDs and gift items, provided through Sunshine Books, will be sold in the community room.
New items coming this fall will soon brighten the gift shop for the holidays, and members will price them and place them on shelves.
Those interested in becoming a member may stop by the gift shop or call Monoski at 748-0268.
