Members of the Sequim-Dungeness Hospital Guild tirelessly volunteered throughout the past year to award $27,589 to organizations aimed at community health.
Since 1970 and the inception of the guild, income generated from the all-volunteer operated Sequim-Dungeness Hospital Guild Thrift Shop, membership dues and Cards for Cardiacs is donated annually — totaling more than $1.99 million.
“We’re really close to that $2 million mark,” guild president Jean Janis, said. “We’ve done really well this year.”
By next year, Adeline Curtis, Sequim-Dungeness Hospital Guild publicity chairman, forecasts the guild achieving the multi-million dollar benchmark.
“It will be quite an event for our small guild,” she said.
Although ticket sales primarily pay for the venue and catering of the guild’s annual luncheon that includes a silent auction and fashion show, the silent auction reached an “all time high,” Curtis said.
Totaling slightly more than last year, it raised $3,315 during the guild’s 30th annual event May 28.
“We’re delighted with that figure,” she said.
Nearing the major milestone in profits gifted to the community, Janis presented the Dungeness Health and Wellness Clinic with $15,000, $7,000 to the School of Nursing Scholarship assistance program at Peninsula College and $5,539 to Olympic Medical Center.
The donation to OMC will provide the obstetrics and gynecology department with three neonatal crash carts and the rehabilitation center with a balance shuttle for the physical therapy department.
“A balance shuttle can help some of our patients more challenged with mobility transition from skilled therapy to a more independent model,” Ken Berkes, OMC cancer center and rehabilitation services director, told those attending the luncheon.
Mary Hunchberger, executive director of college advancement at Peninsula College, also thanked the guild, noting some of its students are a “broken water pump away from not having an education.”
“These donations really help,” she said.
After donations were presented, those attending the sold-out event with 168 tickets sold, enjoyed a fashion show organized by Thrift Shop volunteers. Eight volunteers each modeled three different outfits. Every outfit shown varied in style and price, ranging from about $15 to $55.
The fashion show highlights some of the clothes available at the guild’s Thrift Shop and hopefully encourages people to come shop, Virginia Peter, Thrift Shop volunteer and fashion show coordinator, said.
“It’s always a challenge to see what we can find that goes together at the Thrift Shop,” she said. “It’s a lot of work, but fun.”
Moving ahead into the guild’s 45th year in existence, Janis said, “the guild is a well-greased wheel,” and only looks forward to it continuing to be a “service to the community.”
