The Flower Mound Hospital Auxiliary celebrated its 54 volunteer members with a banquet Feb. 23 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound featuring a dinner buffet from Texas Roadhouse and musical accompaniment by crooner Andy Guarino.
Hospital President Spencer Turner kicked off the evening by thanking the volunteers, who were served dinner by officials of the hospital.
“It says a lot about this community that the hospital has had so much support in its first couple of years,” Turner said. “I want to thank every one of you for making the patients comfortable when they come in the door, and for supporting the hospital in everything you do.”
After the meal of chicken breast, beef kabobs, rice, vegetables, salad, rolls and cobbler, Auxiliary President Mary Kay Walker recognized each volunteer with a pin and a certificate of appreciation. Special note was made of those who logged at least 100 volunteer hours, 250 or more, and 750 or more. Volunteers staff the welcome desk, the gift shop and select departments of the hospital.
The hospital opened in April 2010, with the auxiliary already prepared to open the gift shop and coordinate the volunteers. All profits from the gift shop go to the auxiliary, which supports the hospital’s health care and outreach efforts. The auxiliary also is putting together a scholarship program for its junior volunteers, many of whom plan to pursue careers in medicine.
Walker recognized top volunteers Lorraine Gonya (935.3 hours in 2010 and 2011) and Jerry McKinnis (789.3 hours), who was the auxiliary’s first treasurer. The top junior volunteers were Lyandria Taylor of Lewisville High School (215 hours), Kelly Picardi of Marcus High School (211 hours) and Avanika Patil of Marcus High School (199.8 hours).
In addition to Texas Roadhouse, Walker thanked Photography by Helen of Highland Village, Mickey’s Florist in Lewisville for the carnations given to each volunteer, and Veronica Ramos with Autumn Leaves.
Turner presented Walker with gifts from the hospital, including a free massage, for her work in putting the auxiliary together, for which she logged 1,839.5 volunteer hours in 2010 and 2011. The volunteers also raised money for a bouquet and gift cards for Walker.
“This has been a great night,” Walker told the volunteers. “Thank you so much for all you do for the auxiliary and the hospital. You make Flower Mound a better place.”
Walker is assisted in running the Flower Mound Hospital Auxiliary by board members Paul Foutch, vice president of the auxiliary; Secretary Sandra Gonzalez; Treasurer Judy Nesmith; and junior representative Taylor Jefferson.
For more information about volunteering or otherwise supporting FMHA, contact Mary Kay Walker at 214-417-8939.
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