WMC Auxiliary gives hospital $70,000

Recognizes volunteers, presents scholarship at annual awards dinner

WEIRTON -- The Weirton Medical Center Auxiliary held its annual awards dinner July 18 at the hospital, a celebration that included the presentation of $70,000 that will be used to refurbish the WMC Atrium Cafe.

President Sondra Weigel and Treasurer Paula Billick presented the donation to WMC Chief Executive Officer John Frankovitch and Chief Operating Officer David Artman.

Last year, the auxiliary presented a check for $80,000 to Frankovitch and Vince Deluzio, managing director. Those monies were used for renovations to the waiting area in the emergency department.

Weigel offered welcoming remarks to those in attendance and introduced special guests and past presidents.

They included scholarship recipient Emily Burda, a 2017 graduate of Brooke High School, and her parents, Jason and Michelle Burda. The beneficiary of a $4,000 scholarship from the unit, she will be attending West Virginia University with plans to pursue a career in nursing with an ultimate goal of working for Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital.

She has been a Volunteen in the auxiliary for more than three years, having worked a total of 635 hours in the gift shop and with the gift cart.

Her experiences at Weirton Medical Center convinced her to become a nurse, Weigel noted in acknowledging Emily and her parents.

Volunteer awards Weigel presented applauded years of service with Jenne Fetty marking 45 years, followed by Grace Lenhart with 35. Pat Goldsmith has been a volunteer for 20 years; Peggy Barber and Diane Bond have 10 years; and five years of service has been logged by Nancy Fridley, Barbara Hall and Dorothea Stakias.

Elda Weekley, the auxiliary's recording secretary, offered an overview of 2016-17 highlights, including the presentation of $80,000 to WMC last year. Auxiliary board members attended the Auxiliary of West Virginia Hospital Association's annual spring workshop at the Stonewall Jackson resort.

Paula Billick was recognized as the auxiliary's Volunteer of the Year, and the unit mourned the loss of Alma Wansack, a dedicated volunteer of many years.

"Our projects have been profitable this year," Weekley said. They included three jewelry sales; two "Books are Fun," two Roberts Uniform sales and "Love in Lights" sales. "Our gift shop and gift cart also were very busy," Weekley said.

"We want to thank all the WMC employees who are supportive of all our endeavours," Weekley added. "Our auxiliary is proud to be a part of the WMC family," she said, offering a special thank you to the hospital administration and staff for continued support, for the Christmas dinner and annual awards banquet dinner and for recognition extended during National Volunteer Week.

Auxiliary officers for 2016-18, aside from Sondra Weigel, Billick and Weekley, include Jeannie Duffy, president-elect; Mary Lou Batcho, vice president; Domenica Malloy, corresponding secretary; and Vivian Weigel, assistant treasurer.

The evening concluded with the awarding of door prizes.