MORGANTOWN – The Mon Health Medical Center Auxiliary hosted hospital leaders and staff, and public officials to celebrate the auxiliary’s 80th anniversary and break ground on the auxiliary-funded Caring Cottage project.
Luella Gunter, Mon Health Medical Center executive director of philanthropy, talked with The Dominion Post before the ceremony about the auxiliary and the Caring Cottage project.
“The auxiliary’s mission follows the mission of the hospital,” she said, “serving the community one patient at a time.”
The auxiliary began its work in October 1944.
Its work spans activities big and small, she said. For patients, members provide a caring cart with puzzles and games and other activities. They provide goody bags. “Just little extra touches to make sure our patients are comfortable.”
On the big side, the auxiliary supports the hospital monetarily through fundraisers for special projects throughout the year, culminating in the biggest one: the Ball of the Year. This year’s ball is the 60th, set for Nov. 2 with the theme Wild and Wonderful and Whimsical.
Proceeds from last year’s ball paid for the construction of the first Caring Cottage, going up on a lot on Pineview Driver near the hospital campus. Thursday’s celebration took place in a parking lot next to the site, where the foundation is laid and golden shovels awaits the groundbreaking ceremony.
This year’s proceeds will also go toward the project, Gunter said. Their goal is to put $1 million into an endowment to sustain and expand the project.
Mon Health owns the tract, which runs up the hill, she said, and they have the ability to expand to up to six cottages as needed.
Each building will contain two furnished apartments with amenities including a washer and dryer. They will serve patients and their families coming in for care from out of town. “We want them to feel like it’s a home away from home because we know that it helps in the healing process.”
They’ll provide a comfortable place to stay without the patients and families having to worry about a hotel bill, she said.
Mon Health President and CEO David Goldberg kicked off the ceremony. “What an 80 years it’s been.”
The hospital has moved and evolved over the decades, he said. “What hasn’t changed is the focus on the community.”
And this project is just a sample of all the things the auxiliary has done, he said. “The first 80 were great. The second 80 is going to be even greater.”
A representative from Sen. Shelley Moore Capito’s office presented the auxiliary a certificate of special congressional recognition from Capito.
And representatives from Gov. Jim Justice, Sen. Joe Manchin and Rep. Alex Mooney read greetings.
Justice said, “This milestone truly reflects the incredible dedication and heart you’ve shown to our communities over the decades. … Your commitment to service is nothing short of amazing. … Each hour you volunteer, every dollar you raise and all the creative initiatives you champion truly reflect the spirit of West Virginia.”
Manchin said, “Mon Health serves as a cornerstone of quality healthcare for the people of this region. … This anniversary is a testament to the commitment of Vandalia Health and Mon Health administrators and staff who strive to provide quality care for our fellow West Virginians. More importantly, it is a testament to the dedication of the auxiliary board and its members.
And Mooney said, “I offer my sincere congratulations to all involved who have contributed to provide improvements for families and staff of Mon Health Medical Center. … A life of service is one well lived and I thank all here who have helped keep Mon Health a state-of-the-art facility [with a] professional healthcare team.”
Email: dbeard@dominionpost.com
