SAMC honors volunteers for service

Saint Anthony Medical Center President David Ruskowski paid tribute to the hospital auxiliary’s 242 volunteers during a 37th annual appreciation luncheon recently.

Volunteers were congratulated for service hours ranging from 100 to 26,000 and for working 10 or more consecutive years.

Besides the luncheon and tributes, auxiliary members enjoyed entertainment and prizes. Among his remarks, Ruskowski told the group, “Thank you for donating your precious time to help others.’’
Honorary awards for those who have worked 10 or more consecutive years were presented to Mary Bixenman and Patricia Maka.

Volunteers who have donated 100 to 26,000 hours include:
* 100 hours: Josephine Arnold, Theresa Bernaccki, Kay Cooper, Martha Garretson, Patty Gescheidler, Kimberly Gonzales, Eriko Gottschick, Eleanor Groet, Jean Ann Grupe, Richard Knight, Susan Langbartels, John Libak, Joyce Love, George McCormack, Marjorie Mitchell, Dorothy Rupcich, Susan Rush, Rae Steeb, Lindsey Teasdale and Joan Wittmer.
* 500: Richard Binder, Eugene Fields, Maire Fields, Marlene Humbertson, Roberta Kujawski, Donna Rosaves, Jenny Shoup, R. Ann Williams.
* 1,000: Mariella Agans, Carolyn Anzur, Loretta Clark, Joyce Elliott, Amelia Karsten, Janice Lesniak, Betty Shabaz Marasco, Carolyn Meinbresse, Martin Potocki, Merle Rukes, Jeanne Wright.
* 1,500: Janet Ayers, Anna Bartolac, Livia Centofanti, Dale Christenson, Mary Kay Durkin, Helen Mooney, Marie Myres, Gerry Regnerus, Frances Selvidge, Dale Smith.
* 2,000: Barbara Bullock, Virginia Gizel, Susanne Higgins, Jewel Norris.
* 2,500: Anna Mae Kerr, Evelyn Wietbrock.
* 3,000: Alice Beall, Terry Gergely, Jerry Hofferth, Patricia Maka.
* 3,500: John Kane, Robert Pierce, Sylvia Richardson, Mary Szmutko.
* 4,000: Joanne Hofferth, Elizabeth Louis.
* 4,500: Betty Janiga, Doris Paluszak, Arlene Williams.
* 5,000: Janet Gray, Ron Reynolds, Amy Yuran.
* 5,500: Eleanor Kahl, Jean Lewandowski.
* 6,000: Geraldine Damm.
* 7,000: Lou Chelich, Cliff Esboldt, Bethel Griffin.
* 7,500: Katherine Badowski, Sister Joella Bielinski.
* 8,000: Alice Lauterbur, Helen Murphy, Sister Frances Szczur.
* 8,500: Sharon McColley.
* 10,000: Dorothy Teer.
* 11,000: Helen McEntire.
* 11,500: Betty Bonham.
* 12,000: Ruth Gale, Jeanne Gerlach.
* 13,500: Jack Milaskey.
* 16,000: Lucille Viewwig.
* 24,500: Frank Dudash.
* 26,000: Vivian Kelly.

Volunteers, through a variety of activities and fundraisers throughout the year, have raised more than $2 million to benefit hospital programs and initiatives.

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