Hospital Auxiliary Fundraiser Raises $6,000 For Birth Center Ultrasound System

Hospital Auxiliary fundraiser/bake sale raises $6,000 for Birth Center ultrasound system
Total of $79,000 gifted in 2023-24 to Orange City Area Health System

The volunteer Auxiliary of Orange City Area Health System hosted its annual Holiday Open House fundraiser in the clinic lobby and gift shop on November 7, raising over $6,000 toward the purchase of a new ultrasound unit in the hospital’s Birth Center.

The proceeds from this fundraiser were allocated specifically and immediately for the ultrasound, as health system leadership indicated a need for a new ultrasound in Labor & Delivery.

Each year, the health system Auxiliary Board gifts revenue from its fundraisers and Gift Garden sales toward items that directly benefit patients, residents, families, and staff.

The past two years’ gifts include:
• June 2023, annual proceeds: $32,000
• June 2024, annual proceeds: $41,000
• Holiday Open House November 2024 proceeds: $6,000

This total of $79,000 was and is being allocated as follows:
• $31,000 to enhance the Healing Garden behind the hospital
• $5,000 for a Nu-Step exercise machine at Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community
• $25,000 toward the purchase of an ultrasound system in the Birth Center
• $18,000 to replace the patio furniture outside the hospital cafeteria, and purchase benches and additional plantings for the Healing Garden

In addition to gift shop sales and fundraisers, Orange City Area Health System’s team of dedicated volunteers provide both measurable/financial value and cultural value to the health system. For example, the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) gathers “community benefits” data from all Iowa hospitals each year, which it then uses to help advocate for the health systems and communicate the importance of “free and reduced services” that hospitals provide to the communities they serve. These benefits include Volunteer service hours, as they help reduce health system costs and provide essential and accessible “free” services to patients, residents, and families. In 2023, Orange City Area Health System reported $108,730 in “donated” volunteer time and benefits.

“A quality volunteer program is incredibly important to our health system,” commented Marty Guthmiller, CEO of Orange City Area Health System. “There is a financial benefit, which becomes even more essential in today’s insurance reimbursement environment. Beyond that, however, is the cultural benefit our volunteers provide. They are our ambassadors and often the front line of contact for people engaging our services.”