FARMINGTON — A donation to Franklin Memorial Hospital, scholarship announcements, committee reports and the installment of new officers were just a few of the actions taking place at the annual meeting of the Franklin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary on June 3.

Dawn Girardin, auxiliary president, presented Rebecca Arsenault, FMH president and CEO, with a gift of $18,000 to purchase a podiatry chair for Dr. Zachary Blakeman, arriving in mid-July; a new nonmagnetic wheelchair for MRI patients; and a pulse oximeter for the second floor cardiology clinic.

Giradin said that additional smaller gifts approved by the auxiliary earlier in the year totaling $4,653 included: a blanket warmer and a glass-enclosed bulletin board for the Androscoggin Valley Medical Arts Center in Livermore Falls and monthly pill organizers with a programmable talking alarm for Franklin Health care support nurses.

Arsenault applauded the work of the auxiliary and the many gifts FMH has received from the charitable group.

“No gift is too small. I hope you realize how much we fully appreciate all the hard work you do and the support you give to this hospital,” she said. “On behalf of the board of directors, the medical staff, employees, and the community, thank you for all you have done and thank you for being there for us.”

Arsenault mentioned that last year’s gift, the refurbishment of a NorthStar ambulance theme-painted for breast cancer awareness and adorning the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center logo, will soon be on the roads. A draft of the design was shared with the group.

Arsenault also introduced the gift shop’s new Volunteer Manager Pam West, who replacd Patty Kilkenny, shop manager for more than a decade. 

Among the reports, Caroleen Caldwell, chair of the scholarship committee, announced the six recipients of the Auxiliary’s West Central Maine Health Careers Scholarship Program. The following nursing students will each be awarded a $600 scholarship: Jennifer Nichols, of Jay; Molly Geisser, of Industry; Sydney Caldwell, of Farmington; Althea Mae Drummond, of Livermore Falls; Taylor Hargreaves, of Lexington Township; and Rachelle Bato, of Farmington.

Jill Gray, staff liaison to the auxiliary, installed the following officers for the coming year: Dawn Girardin, president; Jean Rand, first vice president; Mary Harris, second vice president; Kamilla Hall, secretary; Priscilla Smith, treasurer; and Shannon Smith, assistant treasurer.

The hospital’s gift shop is the auxiliary’s major fundraiser, but the auxiliary also raises money by way of membership dues, raffles, Bag Ali sales, memorial stones, food and book sales, special events and the Remembrance Tree during the holidays.

Benefits of being an auxiliary member include: annual appreciation events with buffet meal, entertainment and recognition gifts; a free turkey before Thanksgiving; free flu shots; and complimentary meal privileges.

FMI: 207-779-2555.

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