Saint Anthony salutes auxiliary volunteers

Annual program pays tribute to those who go above and beyond

CROWN POINT - Saint Anthony Medical Center paid tribute to its approximately 170 auxiliary volunteers recently, with pins, roses, food, entertainment and prizes at an annual Appreciation and Awards Luncheon.

Saint Anthony President David Ruskowski called it an honor to celebrate the occasion as the hospital notes its 35th anniversary this year. He expressed gratitude to the volunteers, whose program has been in operation since the hospital opened.
“On behalf of the Sisters of St. Francis, administration and staff at Saint Anthony, thank you for your service, dedication and compassion,” Ruskowski said.

Honorary awards for volunteers who have worked 10 or more consecutive years were presented to Karen Marie Allen, Arlene Hatton, Betty Janiga, Betty Marasco, Jack Milaskey, Barbara Rolla and Patricia Wedding.

The efforts of 49 volunteers, who had 100 to 2,000 service hours, also were recognized. They include:
* 100 hours: Carolyn Anzur, Richard Binder, Jacqueline Buck, Nancy Bult, Patty Gescheidler, Esther Goldman, Carly Golwitzer, Margaret Hanaway, Zohreh Joorabchi, Pauline Lagestee, Carolyn Meihbresse, Virginia Mitchell, Joseph Perrotta, Carol Saager, Melissa Steuer, Janise Taylor, Dorothy Welch and Sandy Lee Wentz.
* 500: Nancy Bland, Harold Chubbs, Loretta Clark, Cora Domanski, Donna Dovichi, Charles Elliott, Leanne Hoyle, Robert Hoyle, Catherine Martin, Helen Mooney, James Morgan and Jeanette Wright.
* 1,000: Janet Ayers, Betty Bellamy, Livia Centofanti, Dale Christensen, Mary Kay Durkin, Gertrude Havens, Zigmund Ondo, Gerry Regnerus and Dale Smith.
* 1,500: Ronald Gunnum, Eleanor Hargis, Suzanne Higgins, Maryrose Lynch and Norma Vittorini.
* 2,000: Mary Bixenman, Fred Bunger, Arlene Hatton, Bill Jenkins and Anna Mae Kerr.
Healthcare Auxilian awards, established by the American Hospital Association to honor the “time, skill and compassion” of those who have 2,500 or more hours of service, were presented to 41 volunteers, including:
* 2,500 hours: Jean Eberle, Jerry Hofferth and Dorothy Mileusinch.
* 3,000: Karen Marie Allen, Mary Ann Graden, Mardi Lee Kalember, John Kane and Ronald Kerbs.
* 3,500: Joanne Hofferth, Elizabeth Louis and Doris Paluszak.
* 4,500: Ann Bakondi, Janet Gray and Valerie Lenzo.
* 5,000: Marilyn Karlson and Jean Lewandowski.
* 5,500: JoAnn Carberry, Jerrie Damm and Bethel Griffin.
* 6,000: Cliff Esboldt, Pat Fisher, Bud Jacobs, Eugenia Klavas and Florence Kozicki.
* 6,500: Sister Joella Bielinski, Lou Chelich, Mary Reynolds, Roselyn Trimble and Alma White.
* 7,500: Sister Frances Szczur.
* 8,000: Sharon McColley.
* 8,500: Anna Claussen, Lida Laszlo and Howard Trimble.
* 9,000: Dorothy Teer.
* 10,500: Helen McEntire.
* 11,500: Ruth Gale and Jeanne Gerlach.
* 12,500: Doris Curless and Jack Milaskey.
* 13,000: Edith Griswold.
* 19,500: Betty Kerbs.
* 21,000: Betty Jane Wagner.
* 23,000: Frank Dudash.
* 25,000: Vivian Kelby.
* 30,000: Leona Luke.

Volunteers, through a variety of activities and fund-raisers through the years, have contributed about $2 million to benefit hospital programs and initiatives.

For more information, or to join the auxiliary, call (219) 757-6347.