Annual Report 2004
United in Our Vision

The William W. Backus Hospital Auxiliary takes its mission seriously: To assist the Hospital in having a positive impact on the community’s health and welfare.

During the past year, we undertook two new fundraising efforts. In place of our annual chicken barbecue, we held an overwhelmingly successful Mini Golf Tournament that attracted a large number of donations and players – and a good time was had by all. The event, which included prizes and a fabulous buffet, was at the Knolls and Holes miniature golf course on the grounds of the striking Odetah Campground in Bozrah.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who made this day a phenomenal success, including the Adelman family for their generosity in allowing us to use their wonderful facility. It is partnerships like these that allow us to achieve success.

We also embarked on another new fundraising project – production of a “talking book” CD with proceeds benefiting the Backus Auxiliary and the Norwich Historical Society. We thank our partner, columnist Bill Stanley, for his generosity, as proceeds from the sale of his CD highlighting his popular “Once Upon A Time” series were a welcome fundraising addition. We were delighted to be a part of Mr. Stanley’s latest endeavor, and privileged to be a recipient of his generosity.

The Auxiliary also conducted very successful time-honored activities, such as our Desserts, Cards and Game Party. The proceeds from events such as these, together with the profits from regular vendor sales, membership dues, the Canteens and the Gift Shop, have enabled us to meet some of the fundraising needs of our Community Hospital.

The Auxiliary provides many services to the Hospital family:

• Two light refreshment Canteens.
• A Gift Cart with amenities such as newspapers and gift items for patients.
• A seven-day-per-week Gift Shop.
• A File of Life offering a medical profile to assist people in emergencies.
• A video, “Baby’s First Months, What Do We Do Now?” for new parents.
• Backus Buddies – handcrafted stuffed animals for young patients.
• Camisoles for cancer patients after surgery, as well as “cure-chiefs” and turbans, which are hand-sewn head dressings for chemotherapy patients.

Additionally:

• We participate in the American Heart Walk.
• We take orders and distribute flowers for the American Heart Association’s annual “Hearts in Bloom” campaign.
• We sponsor a tray favor program for patients during various holidays.
• We conduct a carol sing for patients and staff.

This year, the Auxiliary donated a VCR for patients on A-3 and a television that was installed in the new breastfeeding room on D-2. At our spring coffee, we awarded two $1,000 scholarships to high school graduates pursuing studies in health-related fields. We also held our annual Coffee Hour to give members, along with non-members, an opportunity to get together and learn about the merits of being a member of the Auxiliary.

All of the undertakings I have mentioned would not be possible without the devoted Auxiliary members who constantly step forward to serve. To all of you, I say thank you — without your help, we would not be able to achieve all that we do.

It has been an honor to serve as Auxiliary President for these past two years. I appreciate the hard work and dedication that Auxilians provide, and the important services Backus Hospital provides our community. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the officers of the Auxiliary, the chairpersons of our Standing Committees, our paid employees, the volunteers who staff and stock the Gift Shop and Gift Cart, the talented individuals who create the Backus Buddies, the Hospital’s governance boards, Administration, the Medical Staff and all of our members who volunteer and support our efforts.

All of what you do makes the Backus Auxiliary an admirable and effective organization, capable of meeting the many challenges ahead. I know your support will continue under Jamie Block, our incoming President, who I am confident will effectively lead the Auxiliary and build on its unwavering vision of making Backus Hospital the very best it can be.

Dorothy Levanto, Auxiliary President