Saint Anthony Medical Center volunteers’ time is money

Fund-raising efforts, work hours provide boost for hospital programs

CROWN POINT Although their services are regarded as invaluable, the worth of the work done by Saint Anthony Medical Center Auxiliary volunteers is regarded as one in a million. In fact, it’s well in excess of $2 million – all things considered.



In the hospital’s 35 years of existence, volunteer fund-raising efforts have brought in $1,995,022 to benefit programs and initiatives. That was added to recently, when the auxiliary presented the hospital with a $100,000 check, proceeds from which will benefit the Saint Anthony Medical Center Capital Campaign. That doesn’t count the value of the man-hours they spend working at the hospital, which helps free thousands of dollars more that is used to provide additional full-time staff members.

The capital campaign, which is receiving matching funds from an anonymous donor, has a goal of raising $4.5 for the relocation-renovation of St. Anthony’s St. Clare Health Clinic and its Prenatal Assistance Program, both of which provide services to the underprivileged.

Money also will be used to enhance services at the recently opened Franciscan Point outpatient health complex. About $1.8 million, which includes the matching funds, has been raised since the campaign kicked off a year ago.

During a recent auxiliary luncheon program, David Ruskowski, Saint Anthony Medical Center president, thanked the volunteers for more than doing their part.

“Besides the money you bring in from fund-raising, your work hours are indispensable to us. It may sound cliché, but in these difficult economic times, that’s more important than ever. I appreciate your smiling faces and the good work you do out of the goodness of your hearts.”

Auxiliary President Doris Paluszak said the 170 volunteers contributed nearly 54,000 hours to the hospital last year.

The auxiliary-run gift shop alone raised $83,000 for the capital campaign last year. Myriad other fund-raising events staged by the auxiliary accounted for the remainder of the $100,000 donated.

Warren Johnson, director of development for the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services’ Northern Indiana Region, also lauded the volunteers’ efforts.

“An Indiana volunteer association calculated that volunteers would receive about $17 an hour if they were getting paid. Multiply that by the 54,000 hours our volunteers worked and you get an idea of how much they mean to us. They give marvelous support to the hospital.”

Persons interested in joining the auxiliary should call (219) 757-6347.