Southwestern Vermont Health Care Auxiliary Celebrates 99th Annual Meeting

Seated at front, left to right: Margaret Baratto, SVHC Auxiliary treasurer; Lila Cestone, SVHC Auxiliary president; Beverly Petrelis; and Maureen Loy. Standing at back, left to right: Mary Kohler; Linda Bishop; Charlene Foster; Nancy Whitten, SVHC Auxiliary vice president; SVHC President and CEO Thomas A. Dee, FACHE; Sue Lewsey, SVHC Auxiliary secretary; Tedi Petrelis; Barbara Gross; Ann Barber; and Linda Cook.

BENNINGTON, VT—December 13, 2018—The Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) Auxiliary held its 99th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 14 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.

One year after the Putnam Memorial Hospital, now Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, opened its doors, the first Ladies League was formed. Composed of 44 women, the first committee was the Sewing Committee. Its members mended and sewed items for use in the hospital, including bandages, curtains, baby blankets, pajamas, and more.

Since then, the League has grown to more than 60 members, including men, and is now referred to as the SVHC Auxiliary. In addition to growing in numbers, the group has expanded its reach to impact virtually every department of the hospital and numerous non-profits in the community.

With a mission to “raise and disburse funds and maintain services and programs that enhance the quality care and comfort for the communities we serve,” the Auxiliary generates income through a variety of means, including the Corridor Art Gallery, independent vendor sales, membership, and donations. In the past 20 years alone, their volunteer efforts have raised more than $1 million.

That income has been used to fund scholarships, an infant car seat program, imaging equipment, cancer support, telemedicine, the Lifeline Personal Emergency program, renal services, the Safe Arms program, Meals on Wheels, the Bennington Free Clinic, and Emergency Food and Heat.

For information about joining the SVHC Auxiliary, visit svhealthcare.org/auxiliary or call 802-440-6080.

About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices. For more information, visit svhealthcare.org.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.