Meetings were held on February 11, April 24, June 2 (our dinner meeting and wind-up), September 18, and November 20, which served as our supper meeting and raffle-ticket draw for cash prizes.
The cash prizes were as follows:
Mosaic – $300
Mosaic – $200
St. Anthony’s Healthcare Auxiliary – $100
Laura Lomenda – $100
Norenda Farms – $100.
Meetings opened with President Gladys Lehtissari leading the Auxiliary Prayer. Minutes of the previous meeting were read. The agenda was then followed for the current meeting. Reports given included the financial report, committee reports, old business, new business, any new motions for future dates, and the setting of the next meeting date and time.
One of our fundraisers this year was the Angel Food, Strawberries, and Beverage Tea. We postponed it from February 14 due to severe storms, and the new date was May 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. We had a great turnout. Many people contributed their time, money, and effort to work and purchase supplies for the Mother’s Day Tea, which was held in the Legion Hall Lounge.
We received an invitation to the Auxiliary Area Meeting held at Kamsack. Gladys Lehtissari, Debbie Rauch, and Laura Lomenda attended this meeting. Due to a snowstorm, the meeting was postponed one day to Friday, April 12, 2025. Attendance was lower because people had taken time off work for the original date. Topics were informative and included healthcare, foot care, and vitamins that support overall health. Vitamin D was emphasized because, living in a northern climate, we do not get enough from sunlight alone.
Events we hold in the community include providing rose bowls for Auxilians or family members who have passed away during the year. Carnations are given to people in the hospital at Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Cards are sent for the sick and for those being visited. The Auxiliary also maintains history and photo books documenting our work.
The pop machine at the hospital is for the benefit of both visitors and patients. Tickets are sold at the two grocery stores, Freshmart and Family Foods. Our teas are held in the Legion Hall Lounge basement. A $300 scholarship is presented to a Grade 12 student entering a healthcare career. These are the events we oversee throughout the year.
Our second major fundraiser is our raffle ticket sales. Due to inflation, we increased the ticket price slightly; as a result, we raised more money while selling fewer books of tickets than last year. All Auxilians contributed to selling tickets. Dave and Lorraine Flaman took apart and folded all raffle tickets. Debbie Rauch is our able and hardworking committee head for raffle ticket sales.
All fundraising is done to buy equipment for St. Anthony’s Hospital. This year’s wish list included a treatment room chair for $4,875 and two chapel room chairs for $2,909. These three chairs were purchased and delivered in the spring.
We thank all Auxilians who gave so generously of their time, talents, effort, and money to make 2025 another successful year. We are always seeking new Auxilians to join our volunteer efforts to purchase equipment for St. Anthony’s Hospital.
Raffle Winners
$300 Mosaic – Heather Bergstrom of Stockholm
$200 Mosaic – Barry Knourek of Esterhazy
$100 St. Anthony’s Healthcare Auxiliary – Cindy Bubnick of Esterhazy
$100 donated by Laura Lomenda – Dave and Lorraine Flaman of Esterhazy
$100 donated by Norenda Farms – Brenda Rice of Esterhazy
Heather Bergstrom purchased two books of tickets and generously donated her $300 back to the St. Anthony’s Healthcare Auxiliary. Thank you, Heather.
November 20 Supper Meeting Notes
We decided to hold two teas per year, a Mother’s Day Tea in the spring and a Fall Tea. We invite people to join our Auxiliary for a $5 membership fee and encourage friends and relatives to attend our teas. Due to winter weather conditions, it is sometimes difficult for out-of-town members to attend meetings.
For our June wind-up dinner meeting and November dinner meeting and raffle draw, we wondered whether Friday or Saturday might work better than Thursday, as we may see better attendance on those days.
Debbie Rauch will send thank-you cards to the two grocery stores and include a list of raffle winners with the cards sent to Freshmart and Family Foods.
We should also try a membership drive to attract younger people with new ideas to join St. Anthony’s Healthcare Auxiliary. Both women and men are welcome to join us.