La Porte Hospital Auxiliary donates more than $72,000 to fund clinical equipment, patient items, community services

Pictured are: Marcia Morris (philanthropy chair), Jeanene Keene, La Porte Hospital Foundation Executive Vice President/COO Maria Fruth, LRHS President/CEO G. Thor Thordarson, Lois Eversman and Shirley Duerr.

The La Porte Hospital Auxiliary presented its annual philanthropic donations at a special celebration on Jan. 27, providing $72,572 to La Porte Regional Health System (LRHS) for clinical equipment, patient items and community services.

The Auxiliary, in conjunction with the La Porte Hospital Foundation, granted the donations through a “wish list” generated by various departments among the organization. Departments receiving donations included Maternal Care, which received a total of $54,594 for future growth. The donations will fund labor and delivery beds for mothers to use during their entire stay, wireless fetal monitors, infant warmers, newborn basinets, guest sleeper sofas and glider chairs.

Director of Maternal Care Ann Darrah, RN, and Rayetta Lerch, RN, accepted the donations at the celebration held at La Porte Hospital. Approximately 25 attendees participated in the mock baby shower, which was decorated with pink and blue stuffed animals and cookies. “The La Porte Hospital Auxiliary’s support benefits our patients by updating our equipment, helping families feel more comfortable during their stay and deliver healthy babies. We greatly appreciate the Auxiliary’s help.”

Other donations included: $5,000 to the Center for Better Breathing for free education for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients to better manage their disease; $4,578 to Wellness and Rehabilitation for equipment to provide medically-based screenings for community members; $4,400 for infusion recliner chairs to add comfort to daily infusion outpatients; and $4,000 for ED’s Kids™ bags — age-appropriate toys for children visiting the Emergency Department.

G. Thor Thordarson, LRHS President/CEO, thanked the Auxiliary for their commitment to health care. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and patients, thank you for your generosity and dedication to the health and well-being of the community.”

The La Porte Hospital Auxiliary supports LRHS by providing volunteer services and funding philanthropic projects with profits from the Wishing Well Gift Shop, as well as various fundraisers conducted within the hospital. The philanthropic gifts help support the organization’s mission in making a positive difference in communities LRHS serves.

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