Guild Volunteers Celebrated for 60 Years of Devoted Service
Diamond accents glittered everywhere: on table tops decorations, on a celebratory cake, and at the center of a commemorative pin handed out to every guest who attended the NorthBay Guild’s 60th Anniversary Appreciation Dinner and Awards Ceremony, held last week at the Green Valley Administration Center. At this diamond anniversary celebration, Guild members were lauded by NorthBay Healthcare’s management team and board members for their decades of devotion, and hours of volunteerism, during what also was National Volunteer’s Week.
NorthBay Healthcare President and CEO Konard Jones kicked off the evening’s festivities by honoring the Guild’s early visionaries. “They went door to door, asking people in our community for donations to build a hospital. In their mind’s eye, they had a dream. There was nothing set in stone, no real plans, but a dream. And, you know, it takes teamwork to make a dream work; that’s apropos for this group. You delivered for our community.”
Aimee Brewer, president, NorthBay Healthcare Group, described the volunteers as “valued, dedicated heroes.”
“You are a part of the fabric of NorthBay, the faces that greet people through their care at NorthBay. This is really what makes NorthBay what it is – you give generously of your time, energy and support. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group.”
The Guild’s 60th anniversary was also lauded in resolutions, delivered by Solano County Supervisor Skip Thomson, and from the offices of California State Senator Bill Dodd and California Assemblymember Jim Frazier.
Then, Guild members did what have been doing for decades: They donated a year’s worth of fund-raising efforts to managers of many NorthBay Healthcare departments, in the form of two checks totaling $180,000.
The Golf Classic committee presented Foundation Board members with a check for $50,000. It is the sixth year the Guild has pledged to support NorthBay’s trauma program, totaling now more than $225,000 in donations.
Guild members also presented several NorthBay managers with a check for $130,000 to fulfill many items on their department’s “Wish List.”
For the volunteer recognition portion of the program, more than 100 volunteers — including a new Life Member — were honored at the dinner for completing anywhere from 100 hours to as many as 14,500 hours of service over the years, according to Lou Lopez, interim director of Volunteer Services.
Lauretta Graham received a Life Member Award, far surpassing the milestone of volunteering for more than 8,000 hours in 10 years. “Lauretta actually has accumulated 12,000 yours in eight years,” Lou. “She has been a huge help, especially over the past few months, and is always the first volunteer to pop up and ask if you need anything. She is amazing.”
A special group of Guild volunteers – dubbed “Rare Roses” – received recognition for amassing 500-plus hours of donated time, in just one year.
Hospice volunteers were also thanked for their service by Linda Pribble, volunteer coordinator for NorthBay Hospice.
A special video, taped earlier this year by employees who showed their appreciation through “Three Little Words,” was screened and participating individuals and groups were named: teams from Trauma and the Cath Lab, as well as Autumn Thacker, R.N., and Cheryl Medeiros, Patient Access Ambassador.
“Reaching 60 years is an incredible milestone,” noted Brett Johnson, president, NorthBay Healthcare Foundation at the evening’s conclusion. “When we look forward to the next 60 years, what won’t change? Our gift shops will continue to be run by volunteers, and you as a group will continue to receive support from senior leadership and the Foundation board. What will change? We promise to update the clock display at NorthBay Medical Center,” he said, to laughter throughout the room. “And, we will look for you to help us craft and shape the next 60 years, through your continued involvement and engagement.”
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