GIFTING / VOLUNTEERING

Burgess Foundation

Quality health care is an important part of modern life. It takes everyone working together to bring it to our area. One way you can help assure that health care is where you are when you need it is to contribute to the Burgess Foundation. There are many ways to make a gift, but every way that you contribute has a positive effect on the health of the community.

To learn about ways you can make a difference in the quality of health care in our area, call Shirley Bruegger (Burgess Foundation Director) at 712-423-9374 or email at sbruegger@burgesshc.org .

Donors can make gifts of any size to the Foundation, and, there are many ways to make a gift:

Volunteering

Click here to become a Volunteer or Member! (Word version)

Click here to become a Volunteer or Member! (PDF version)

The Burgess Auxiliary Officers and Board would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who have supported the Auxiliary with volunteer service and financial support over the past year. The intent of this newsletter is to keep you informed of our many activities and persuade you to become a member, if you are not already one, or continue as a member of the Auxiliary. We are an active group- always looking for more members and volunteers. In 2007, our VOLUNTEERS logged in over 9000 hours of service in support of Burgess Health Center. (According to the Iowa Hospital Association, a volunteer hour is now valued at $18.00+.)

MEMBERSHIPS- The Auxiliary memberships come solely from those forms that are returned in the mail after this Newsletter is sent out

DUES- The fee is $5.00. Anyone wishing to become a Life Member can do so by paying dues of $50.00.

If you prefer, this $50.00 payment can be made over a two year period. Life members are exempt from additional dues. Mail the membership form to the address above, or leave it at the Hospital Lobby Desk or at Act II in downtown Onawa.

GIFT SHOP- Our new gift shop opened in 2007 continues to be a successful venture. It is located adjacent to the new entrance and lobby. Lou Hewitt is the gift shop chairman and, committee members are Evelyn and Beverly Purchase. The Shop has a large variety of interesting items. Lou is always looking for new volunteers.

ACT II: We continue to be amazed at the income Act II generates for the Auxiliary. We have a great manager, wonderful volunteers, and a dedicated chairman who keep things running smoothly. New volunteers are always welcome. This is the 21 st year for Act II operation.

VENTURES- We were blessed with a beautiful but windy fall day for Ventures-2008; 750 people came through the gate to shop for a large variety of unusual items. $4200+ was raised during this one day event which is chaired by Lou Hewitt. This money is used each year to fund our scholarship program.

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING- Free cancer screening kits are now available year around to people in the Burgess service area at all the local clinics and the Hospital Lobby Desk. This is one of the most important services our Auxiliary offers.

BLOOD BANK- We continue to contact donors for the blood bank and serve the snacks each time the blood bank is in town.

LOBBY GREETER DESK and SURGERY INFORMATION DESK- Volunteers staff the greeter’s desk in the new lobby and admissions area of the hospital and the surgery waiting area where they assist the families of the surgery patients. Volunteers are also available to drive patients to and from their appointments at the hospital.

SCHOLARSHIPS- Ten scholarships were awarded this spring to area students studying in a health related field. The recipients this year were: Matthew Boyle-University of Iowa; Andrea Gibson-Iowa Western Community College; Brett Gliem-Buena Vista University; Brittany Hausman-Briar Cliff University; Jessica Hiller-Western Iowa Tech Community College; Rebecca Niewohner-South Dakota State University; Julie Ann Phillips-Iowa State University; Brady Pratt-University of South Dakota; Brittany Tramp-Mount Marty College, and Amanda Wood-South Dakota State University. Each recipient receives $250. Anyone interested in applying for a 2009 scholarship should contact the guidance counselor in their high school in the Burgess Health Center service area early in the spring of 2009.

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS-NEW YEAR BABY- BABY CAP AND BOOTIE SETS-LAYETTES- Babies born during the month of December receive Christmas Stockings from the Auxiliary. Sue Cutler presents the New Year Baby with a beautiful handmade gift. The Auxiliary presents all newborns with baby caps and booties knitted by volunteers, and the Whiting Christian Church Ladies Outreach Group furnishes layettes to the OB department to be used as needed for newborns.

LEGISLATIVE- The Auxiliary remains actively involved with legislative matters. Jo Keitges is our new Legislative Chairman.

SPECIAL PROJECTS- A new Chapel water wall was funded by the Auxiliary, along with additional Chapel furnishings of three crosses, end tables, lamps and art work to make the area more inviting.

---New this year are the Auxiliary sponsored bus trips—Spring trip was to the Grotto at West Bend, then on to Okoboji for a ride on the Queen and other entertainment. In October, a trip to Fremont for a ride on the Dinner Train was the highlight, along with some other stops in Nebraska.