The 2018 Tree of Life campaign has netted more than $6,500 to support health care initiatives at Benton's Franklin Hospital.
The total for the 2018 campaign, conducted annually by members of the Franklin Hospital Auxiliary, was $6,525.84. The Tree of Life is a campaign that was started to raise funds for the hospital through donations in memoriam or in honor of a family member, friend or neighbor.
Proceeds have gone to Senior Care for hospital-wide CPI training manuals, the dietary department for catering items, the Hospital Emergency Preparedness team for Decon team, the Respiratory Department for a pneumatic percussor, the Imaging Department for a Valsbar Patient support system, and the Coumadin Clinic for benches.
The auxiliary kicked off its first-ever Tree of Life Campaign in 2012.
Subsequent campaigns helped to purchase X-ray cassettes for the Imaging Department, data scopes for same-day surgery and outpatient procedures, blanket warmers and a blood gas analyzer for the lab, and other much needed items.
The Franklin Hospital Auxiliary started more than 60 years ago. The original charter members of the auxiliary were Viola Bond, Beulah Douglas, Dorris Hart, Mildred Howell, Lillie Lewis, Naomi Lynn, Gladis Reed, Mary Taylor and Gladys Westerland.
Auxiliary members greet people at the information desk and work in surgery, helping with patients as volunteers.
They also decorate the hospital for different holiday seasons, as well as landscaping the grounds of the hospital.
The auxiliary also offers health care scholarships for Franklin County students, and one scholarship is awarded to a hospital employee who is furthering their health care education. To join the auxiliary, contact the hospital at 618-439-3161 ext. 357.
The following people donated to this year's campaign:
Phyllis Petty
Franklin Hospital
Employees-Jean Friday
Mary Ellen and John D. Aiken
Benton Rotary Club
Franklin and Diane Essary
Hugh Frailey
Chuck and Lori Craven
Margaret Johnson
Patricia Kern
Gene Alexander
Jeana Rogers
Vic and Diane Tasky
Suzanne Baker
David and Nancy Gouge
Morton and Johnson Funeral
Home
Jeff Troutt
Diana Perry
State Bank of Whittington
Kaye and Fred Kondritz
Dorothy Nolen
Christi Kirkman
Sue Doty
Keith and Diana Ing
Ferrell and Kathy Winemiller
John and Sharon Clements
Mack and Juva Wynn
Dorothy Camden
Pat Towle and Family
Larry and Resi Wilson
Betty L. Aiken
Jody and Greg Kimmel
Gary and Ellyn Messersmith
Linda Smith
Kim and Dennis Followell
Dr. S.A. and Rizi Khan
Glenda Downs
Susan Heater
Susan Heather
Melinda and Scott Fowler
Tom and Sue Whittington
Sheila Jones
Sisters and mom
E.R. Brown Furniture
SIH
Steve and Sue Woodfin
Kenneth and Rita Doty
Dale and Janice Richardson
Joy Cash
Don and Kathy Storey
Derek and Selinda Johnson
Benton Elks Lodge
Fuels Management Consulting
Inc.
Bob and Becky Lewis
Sherman and Sue Browning
Carolyn Hart
Thomas Family-
Thomas Printing
Pate Funeral Home
Greg and Denise Cima
Mr and Mrs Butch Burzynski
Ron and Anna Marie Giacone
Jim and Kim Johnson
Bettye L. Phillips
Kirby and Carmen Browning
Ron and Diana House
John and Sherri Wilson
Jamie, Jimmy, Adam, Abby, Tim, and Harlynn Neal
Mark and Judy Drake
Stonebridge
Peggy, Rob and Amberly Page
Ruth Ann Carter
Rob, Peggy, and Amberly Page
Bill and Karen Hedges
Benton Lions Club
Tom and Pam Appleton
Ken and Betty Hutchens