The Callaway Community Hospital Auxiliary scholarship committee meets this week to decide who its 2015 scholarship recipients will be and the group is gearing up for its annual spring card party, which funds its scholarships.
The card party is from 1-4 p.m. Monday, April 27 at the Callaway Electric Co-op, which is located at 1313 Cooperative Drive in Fulton. Dorothy Winingear with the Auxiliary said those who plan to attend can play cards and other table top games. Winingear said she is excited for Monday's event.
"It's such a fun thing. We enjoy it," Winingear said of the card party. "It's the most fun thing we do."
Money raised Monday will go toward two purposes: the Auxiliary's scholarship fund and items to enhance patient comfort at the hospital. The Auxiliary hands out multiple one-year $1,000 to Callaway County students who are entering a field of medical study in college each year.
"It all goes back into the community," Winingear said.
Alice Hirschinger, with the Auxiliary, said the group wants to give out as many scholarships as it can. But, the amount it can give out is based on how much its fundraisers make during the year. Typically, the Auxiliary gives out five scholarships each year. However, Hirschinger, said last year they only awarded four and the year before they awarded three.
"It all depends on what funds we have available,"Hirschinger said.
The organization is hoping for increased attendance and donations this year so it can fund more projects, Hirschinger said.
Money raised also goes toward items which make hospital patients feel more comfortable, Winingear said. Based on how much money the organization raises, the Auxiliary lets the hospital know how much it has to spend. Then, the hospital gathers a wish list which the Auxiliary board narrows down to three items. The entire Auxiliary membership then votes on which of those three items it will fund. Winingear added that if funds allow or if the items on the wish list are inexpensive enough, the group purchases multiple items for the hospital.
In the past, the Auxiliary has purchased overhead lights for surgical departments, comfortable child restraints for children to wear while getting x-rays and blanket warmers.
Hirschinger said that with the hospital under new ownership, the Auxiliary is making effort to remind people about its 60-year old organization. The organization formed in 1955 with a mission, "to promote and to advance the welfare of the Callaway County hospital through ways approved by the governing board of the hospital."
The spring card party is one of a few fundraisers the Auxiliary holds. It also hosts a card party in the fall. And, Hirschinger said, the gift shop raises money for scholarships and items to increase patient comfort, too.
Monday's card party will have food and refreshments. It will also have a $50 drawing, for which tickets are being sold by Auxiliary members as well as at the hospital gift shop. To reserve a table, call Hirschinger at (573) 642-6553.