Auxiliary prepares for Festival of Trees
The main lobby at the Uniontown Hospital has been transformed into a holiday wonderland adorned with uniquely decorated Christmas trees depicting a variety of themes. In the spirit of tradition, the hospital auxiliary is preparing for its 15th annual Festival of Trees. Funds raised from the festival event, which runs through Friday, Dec. 12, are donated to the Uniontown Hospital Auxiliary Nursing Scholarship Program at Penn State University/Fayette Campus.
“Each year we are pleased to host this holiday tradition that beautifies our hospital entrance for patients and visitors during the holiday season,” said Paul Bacharach, the hospital’s president and CEO.
“Also, we are especially supportive of the fund-raising activity as it supports the hospital’s efforts to encourage students to enter the nursing profession,” he added.
Each year since the event’s inception in 1988, thousands of dollars have been raised for the nursing program at Penn State. In 2002, the hospital auxiliary donated $10,680 to the scholarship fund.
“We are eternally grateful for all the scholarship assistance received from the Uniontown Hospital Auxiliary,” said Dr. Joan Clites, nursing program coordinator at Penn State Fayette while attending the organization phase of the fund-raising event.
“The volunteers are unsung heroes, who quietly and unassumingly work to help the community,” she added. “In addition to the monetary assistance, we are also very grateful for the ongoing support of Penn State’s faculty, students and the nursing profession at large.”
Local businesses and groups participating in the 2003 Festival of Trees include Valerie Conn’s Place, Fayette Home Care & Hospice, Penn State University Nursing Students, Boston Beanery, Wal-Mart, Beverly HealthCare in Uniontown, Brownie Troop 3070, W.B. Kania & Associates LLC, S&S Bait & Tackle and Fayette Friends and Animals.
Several hospital departments, including the 1 South Nursing Unit, Department of Anesthesia/Surgery, Emergency Services, 1 North Nursing Unit, Telemetry Care Unit and the Billing Department are also sponsoring trees.
Donations of $2 per ticket give each individual an opportunity to participate in the raffle drawing for the holiday trees.
Tickets will be sold in the hospital’s main lobby now through Dec. 12. The drawing for the trees will be held at noon Friday, Dec. 12, and winners will be notified.
The Festival of Trees planning committee includes auxiliary members Alberta Collingwood, chairwoman; Betty Stein, co-chairwoman; Theresa Gentilcore; Ann Hoppe; Mary McElroy; Evelyn Mohney; Betty Walls; and Patricia Speshock.