St. Lawrence Auxiliary

Quick Links: Sparrow Women's Hospital Association About our Program Volunteer Contributions

The Auxiliary Begins…
1920	On January 25, the late Msgr. John O’Rafferty, then pastor of St. Mary’s Cathedral, called a meeting of parish women for the purpose of organizing a women’s auxiliary for the new St. Lawrence Hospital. At this first meeting, Mrs. James Hammel was elected President of the Auxiliary, the first Sewing Committee was appointed, and the women “passed the hat” collecting $73.00, which was turned over to the Sisters of Mercy. On February 3, the women met at the Knights of Columbus Hall with 88 women present. At this meeting a charter was approved, membership dues were established at $1.00, and bi-monthly meetings scheduled.
	Charter Members
	Mrs. James J. Carey* Mrs. George F. Conway* Mrs. Elizabeth Eldrige* Mrs. R. C. Fellows* Mrs. James Hammel* Mrs. H. J. Henry* Mrs. William L. Hermes* *Deceased	Mrs. Edwin Malloy* Mrs. J. D. O’Mara* Mrs. John Reck* Mrs. F. A. Schmitt* Mrs. A. B. Shiffer* Mrs. William E. Siegrist* Mrs. George P. Stirm*
	The Auxiliary had many interesting projects during those first years. In addition to their sewing project to provide curtains, bedding, bed jackets and uniforms for the Hospital, members devised ways to earn money to buy equipment for the Hospital. In May, lunch was served at the first baked goods sale held at St. Mary’s Parish Hall. This sale netted $399.00. The first benefit dance was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in May, 1920. The charge was 75 cents per couple and net proceeds were $14.05. The Auxiliary, however, through other fundraising activities, managed to raise $597.00 for the Hospital that first year.
1923	Members sponsored a week-long rummage sale.
1920-1952	During the 32 years from 1920 to 1952, the Auxiliary turned over to the Hospital in the way of gifts to the Sisters of Mercy and money for equipment, an estimated $70,000.00 and contributed thousands of volunteer hours.
1952	The Auxiliary made history by expanding into six Leagues, each with its own officers and members, operating under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy and an Auxiliary Board. The expansion of the Auxiliary into Leagues of approximately thirty members each was planned to increase services to the Hospital which had grown from the original 28 beds to over 300 beds. Members chose their group in connection with the Hospital project planned. 1952-53 Leagues Angelus League – Pediatric Department Assisium League – Medical Department Currie League* - X-Ray and Maternity Departments Industrial League – Hospital Sewing McAuley League – Surgical Department Mercy League – Emergency and Pathology Departments *Currie League operated a shopping service and gift shop in the Hospital lobby.
1953	At the Annual Meeting in May, members learned the Auxiliary expansion was successful; the membership climbed from 170 members to 322 members and the combined League treasury figures soared to $14,000.00 from $6,273.00 the previous year. Camillus League was reactivated to benefit the Obstetrical Department. Projects of the League were baby photographs and theatre trips.
1955	Currie League became Cabrini League.
1957	Mary Magdalen League was organized to assume the responsibilities of the gift counter and gift cart. The League, which managed to raise $1,000.00in its first year of operation, is now the biggest fundraiser of the Auxiliary. Pinkie the Puppet, a project of Angelus League, made his official debut in Pediatrics. After serving as the symbol of the League for 25 years, Pinkie was retired in favor of a softer sock toy. These washable toys are currently being distributed to children in Emergency, Radiology and Pediatric Departments.
1960	Mercy League voted to become a service league. The Surgical Lounge was opened, staffed by Mercy League members.
1962	The new Emergency Department needed volunteer help. Christopher League was organized to provide service this department. McAuley League opened a Resale Shop and added a profitable annual benefit and “Hostess Day at Knapp’s” to the fundraising projects.
1975	Plans for a new hospital were becoming a reality. The Auxiliary was asked to make a financial pledge and $200,000.00 was agreed on to be fulfilled in four years. This pledge was not only met, but exceeded and $206,400.00 was raised between the years 1975-1978.
1976	Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new hospital.
1977	Tel Med League was formed. Members operated the tape library console which provided an information-by-phone program to the Greater Lansing Community. Since then, Health Line tapes, which describe various medical procedures, were added to the library.
1978	St. Lawrence opened a new 200-bed, full-service hospital. The attached Mental Health Center housed 59 beds. Mary Magdalen League became involved in the management of the telephone and television rentals to the patients in addition to the gift shop and cart. In 1985, this service added $45,000.00 to the League’s donation to the Hospital.
1982	St. Anne League was organized to assist the maternity staff during grandparents’ visiting hours. The League also handled the rental and maintenance of infant care seats.
1985	This was a year of change for the Auxiliary and the Hospital. Cabrini League found it necessary to disband after 30 years of service, but many of its members chose to continue as members of the Auxiliary. Mercy League formed a sub-group, Mercy II, to provide service in the outpatient lounge. The Dimondale Center was dedicated on May 19, and our funds for the next several years were allocated to geriatric services. Other outreach programs include the mobile Health Van, health promotion and screening projects, Child Health Center, and Senior Daytime Center. In January, the Dimondale Nursing Home Garden Committee was formed to provide garden areas for the patients. Mr. Mark Hornung was hired to plan and complete the gardens at a cost of $60,000.00. The completed gardens were dedicated to Sister Mary Janice Belen and Sister Mary Ricardo Gentle on September 13, 1987. It was also the year Sister Mary Janice chose to leave St. Lawrence Hospital. Mr. Arthur Kneuppel, her replacement, joined St. Lawrence on October 1, having come from Jackson’s W. A. Foote Memorial Hospital.
1986	Angelus added volunteer service to the newly formed Pediatric Health Center while continuing to provide doughboys dolls to give to children in various departments of the hospital. The Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program was established to distribute books to children using the Center, many of whom had never owned a book of their own. In January, Mr. Robert Meeker, Planning consultant, Michigan Hospital Association, was hired and a Planning Committee formed to assess the Auxiliary and make recommendations for the future. The entire process was called Future Focus. In May, the Marjorie J. Gardner Well Center (named for a former Auxilian) opened in a location just south of the Meridian Mall in Okemos. The Center was designed for women of all ages and specialized in providing personalized, comfortable healthcare for women with the respect and dignity they deserve. Four types of care are offered – educational, referral services, screening and professional services by nurse specialists, nurse practitioners and physicians. In 1987, the Center moved to new larger quarters in Central Park Place, Marsh Road, Okemos.
1987	The completed Dimondale Gardens were dedicated to Sister Mary Janice Belen and Sistery Mary Ricardo Gentle on September 13. On September 30, Pat Winans retired as Director of Volunteer Services and was replaced by Mary Joseph. Sue Lawton was subsequently hired as Assistant Director. In November, the Pink Post was replaced with Visions, a newly formatted newsletter. This newsletter was a joint effort of the Auxiliary Newsletter Chairman and the Department of Volunteer Services. St. Anne League disbanded when the grandparent service was no longer needed. The Auxiliary began funding The 36 Hour Day, for families who were dealing with the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
1988	The Auxiliary started a new fundraiser – the Popcorn Wagon. Popcorn was made several times a week. Mary Meyer was installed as President of the Southwest District of MAHA. Tel-Med League was disbanded due to the need to upgrade the system at the same time as the usage had declined sharply. The Auxiliary received a “Keep Michigan Beautiful Award” in recognition of the wonderful Dimondale Gardens.
1989	A Riverboat Cruise and a Gold Jewelry Sale were added to the Auxiliary’s fundraising events. The hospital added a BioMechanical Lab, renovated the lobby and broke ground for the construction of the Michigan Athletic Club (the MAC). Jan DeRose received the Tri-County Carnation Award for volunteer service. The Volunteer Services Department received an Extraordinary Achievement Award from the Michigan Council of Volunteer Services (MCDVS) for its Geri Reach program coordinated by Sue Schnackenberg. This community outreach program was taken into elementary school classrooms to teach children about normal aging.
1990	Spartan Passbooks were a successful fundraiser this year. The Auxiliary celebrated its 70th birthday with an elegant luncheon at the University Club and for the first time, the Auxiliary President was given a vote on the Board of Directors of the Hospital.
1991	Auxiliary funds were used to purchase a variety of surgical instruments. In addition, $22,500 was given to the Ann Egan Scholarship Fund for the furtherance of nursing education. The MAC opened for business. This beautiful facility has served many people in need of rehabilitation, as well as helping countless others develop and maintain healthy lifestyles. By 1996, it had become the second largest health club in the United States. The Volunteer Department once again was recognized with an Extraordinary Achievement Award from MCDVS, this time for an educational program call “Healthcare in the 90’s”. This program, and award, was shared equally with the other three hospitals in Lansing – Lansing General, Ingham Medical and Sparrow.
1992	Fresh flowers became a welcome addition to the Gift Shop’s merchandise thanks to a donation from the Bretton Woods Lions Club for the purchase of a used cooler. Industrial League began making quilts for the Dimondale Nursing Center and also Advent House, a transitional housing program for the poor. Annette Ophaug received the Tri-County Carnation Award for volunteer service. The Health Education Van, purchased ten years ago with Auxiliary funds, was renovated and used extensively by Occupational Health Services.
1993	Special fundraising events included a theatre bus trip, a fashion show, Spartan Passbooks and jewelry sales. Equipment was purchased for the Radiology Department with the funds that were raised. Volunteer Services received another Extraordinary Achievement Award from MCDVS. This year’s recognition was for the Patient Life program, supplemental assistance for nursing service in the acute care arena. This program was staffed primarily by young people and was also recognized by President George Bush through the Points of Light Foundation. Steven Braska won the Nestle Community Service Award from Tri-County Voluntary Action Center. Mary Joseph was installed as President of MCDVS.
1994	A busy year of fundraising…a Holiday Fashion Show, a Chicago bus trip, a Bunny Brunch at Easter, a spring Rummage Sale and the launching of a new Auxiliary Cookbook with many wonderful recipes. Ongoing fundraisers included the Gift Shop, the Resale Shop, Pink Ball, a jewelry sale and a bake sale.
1995	A Spring Salad Luncheon, a Book and Toy Sale and a 50/50 Raffle were new fundraisers this year. Tickets for the 50/50 Raffle were $20 each and the payoff was $500 but the net profit was $8,500. The Auxiliary was recognized with a special plaque for their contribution for the Homeward Bound program at Dimondale. Young men were honored at the Pink Ball, as well as young women. These teenagers were all acknowledged as future volunteers. Auxiliary President, Jeanne Tiffany, began a Scholarship Fund with a donation of raffle earnings.
1996	The Clark Conference Center is dedicated in memory of Dr. Gaius Clark, long time chief of Emergency Medicine. His wife JoAnne (Mary Magdalen League) and family attended the dedication. Auxiliary fundraising efforts for the year were directed toward this project. Assisium League members voted to cease active service and become sustaining members of the Auxiliary. Information Desk volunteers voted to join the Escort group. The new League will be known as Escort/Information. From 1987 to 1996, Auxiliary fundraising efforts topped one and a quarter million dollars.
1997	St. Lawrence Hospital and Healthcare Services becomes part of the Sparrow Health System.
1998	All acute care services are consolidated on the Sparrow Campus. St. Lawrence becomes primarily an outpatient facility with clinics and surgery as its focus. Behavioral Medicine, Substance Abuse and Long-Term Care programs continue to be offered and an in-house Hospice House opened in October.
1999	Through all these changes, the volunteers continue to support the mission of the hospital and provide service to those seeking care. Within these two years alone, over $195,000 were raised and over 100,000 hours of service were provided. Many in-kind donations, too numerous to count, were also received during this period and new service projects included “Quilts for Kids” and a Gift Shop at Dimondale. Significant changes will continue to be made as we approach the turn of the century and the St. Lawrence Auxiliary will continue to demonstrate the flexibility that has characterized its first 80 years of service.
2000	This year saw the move of the Resale Shop (McAuley League). "Quilts for Kids" received an award given by the Michigan Council of Directors of Volunteer Services. Industrial League makes many of these quilts. Camillus League disbanded but several members continue as volunteers at Dimondale and Sparrow. Many fundraising efforts benefited Hospice House, the Rooftop Garden Project and the Alzheimer's Unit. The year 2000 also marked additional progress in cooperation between Sparrow volunteers and St. Lawrence Auxiliary. Four groups from Sparrow-South Penn Campus now work in the newly renovated St. Lawrence Volunteer Office in the Outpatient Building.
2001	With the departure of Mary Joseph last June, January 2001 saw the appointment of Kathleen Clark as Program Coordinator to head the St. Lawrence and Dimondale volunteers. Another of her duties is the orientation of all new volunteers. For the first time, the Pink Ball was a coordinated effort of the St. Lawrence Auxiliary, the Volunteer Services Department, Community Relations and the Heart Center of Sparrow Health System. It was a grand event and a donation of $22,469 was made to Sparrow's Heart Center. Future Balls will continue to support the Heart Center. When an Industrial member who had been making the angel gowns resigned, the project was opened up and volunteers from both campuses are now assisting in this worthwhile effort.
2002	For the second year in a row, the Pink Ball supported the Sparrow Heart Center and raised $47,498. The Ball was a great success and will continue to support the Heart Center. A number of new fundraising efforts were tried this year, including a uniform sale and an art sale. Both were successful and will be scheduled again. For the third year the Auxiliary participated in the Parade of Homes. The Angel Gowns were a big success and for the first time gowns were available for all families in need. The group will continue to sew the gowns. The Industrial League continues to try new projects, including designing Lapghans. The Lapghans will be given to patients in the hospital who ae experiencing some dementia to help calm the patient. Flower sales have continued and are successful. The sales benefit the Hospice House Rooftop Garden. Three sales are held each year - the Fall Mum Sale, the Poinsettia Sale and the Hanging Basket Sale.