New officers elected to hospital auxiliary
Warwick On Tuesday, Jan. 10, the newly elected officers of the St. Anthony Community Hospital Auxiliary met to discuss plans for the upcoming year. The new members of the auxiliary’s board of directors are: Terry Gavan, president; Gloria Okon, past president; Dolores Freed, program vice president; Jane Gyulavary, membership vice president; Peggy Arizmendi, treasurer; Joan Roche, recording secretary; Margaret Mitchell, corresponding secretary and Hakimah al-Zahra, assistant to the membership vice president. The auxiliary began in 1939, as a group of women whose purpose was to roll bandages and compresses for use in the hospital. Today, the activities are far more diverse, and the organization has more than 120 members, both women and men. In an effort to support the hospital and the Warwick Campus of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, the auxiliary sponsors several annual fundraisers, including a musical fashion show, a progressive dinner, and the traditional June “Under the Tent” party at Hickory Hill Golf Course. Since its inception, the auxiliary has raised and contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars for special projects, and for the purchase of specific equipment. Some of the organization’s recent donations include $25,000 in physical therapy equipment, $20,000 in orthosurgical instruments, and a $14,400 fetal monitoring system. The auxiliary has pledged to every capital campaign, including a “Caring for Life” campaign commitment of $75,000 to the Kennedy Birthing Center. When the officers and members are between fundraisers, many offer their time and expertise to help out at other hospital fundraising events, such as the annual Spring Ball and Golf Classic. At a luncheon that followed the executive meeting, Okon, who had been president for the past 10 years, congratulated the new board of directors, and encouraged them to continue the good work of the organization. On behalf of the membership, Gavan, former first vice president and now president, presented Okon with gifts purchased by member contributions, and thanked her for her many years of inspirational leadership. Gavan added that one of her first priorities would be to encourage more people to join the auxiliary. For additional information, visit www.StAnthonyCommunityHosp.org.