N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2018
Guild is three-time recipient of HANYS Auxiliary and Volunteer of the Year Award
Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild was recently named Auxiliary of the Year by the Healthcare Association of New York State. From left: John Hampshire, Chuck Meagher, Anne Hunscher, Terry White, Carol Reynolds, Kate Zumback, Jim Glockner, Irma Somich, Betsy St.Pierre and Jane Parisi. All are Guild volunteers except Zumback, manager of the Guild’s Treasures Consignment Boutique and Thrift Shop, and St.Pierre, director of volunteer services at Saratoga Hospital.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, November 5, 2018—Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild has once again been named “Auxiliary of the Year” by the Healthcare Association of New York State—this time for the Guild’s fundraising and charitable contributions through its Treasures Consignment Boutique and Thrift Shop.
HANYS presented its 2018 Auxiliary and Volunteer of Year Awards at the end of October during its 52nd Annual Conference for Healthcare Auxiliaries and Volunteer Leaders. It was the third such honor for Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild, which also received the award in 2008 and 2012.
“We congratulate our Guild volunteers on this much-deserved recognition. Even more, we thank them for their extraordinary contributions of compassion, dedication and that most precious commodity—tens of thousands of hours of their time each year,” said Angelo Calbone, Saratoga Hospital president and CEO.
Located at 60 West Ave., Treasures Consignment Boutique and Thrift Shop is operated by the Guild and earns about $160,000 per year. “Every penny benefits Saratoga Hospital and our community,” said Betsy St.Pierre, director of volunteer services at the hospital.
In addition to selling recycled clothing and other items, through its voucher and outreach programs, Treasures partners with more than 35 community service agencies in the greater Saratoga region. Last year, Treasures provided recycled clothing and other essentials, valued at over $90,000, to more than 600 clients of these agencies.
“Treasures’ financial impact on Saratoga Hospital and our community is impressive. But perhaps even more important is the difference that Treasures makes for the family that just lost everything in a fire, the job applicant whose confidence is bolstered by having an outfit for an interview, and the patient who leaves our Community Health Center after receiving the best possible care—and a coat from Treasures to help keep them warm,” St.Pierre said.
HANYS established the Auxiliary of the Year Award in 2007 to recognize numerous ways that auxiliaries help strengthen New York State’s healthcare system. This year, the award was presented to three auxiliaries that demonstrated outstanding achievement in community outreach, hospital services and fundraising. Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild was the winner in the fundraising category.
Since its founding in 1948, the Guild has donated over $3 million to Saratoga Hospital. The Guild’s more than 300 volunteers routinely donate over 50,000 hours of services each year. More than one-third of Guild members volunteer at Treasures.
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About Saratoga Hospital: Saratoga Hospital is the Saratoga region’s leading healthcare provider and the only acute-care facility in Saratoga County. With a medical staff of more than 450 providers, the hospital offers care in a broad range of medical specialties at more than 20 locations including its Wilton campus and the Saratoga Medical Park at Malta. The Saratoga Hospital Medical Group ensures easy access to services that can have the greatest impact on both individual and community health. In keeping with its emphasis on quality, Saratoga Hospital was the first in the Capital Region to earn Magnet designation for nursing excellence. On Jan. 1, 2017, Saratoga Hospital finalized its affiliation with Albany Medical Center, joining Columbia Memorial Health in creating a regionally integrated, locally governed healthcare system. For more information: www.saratogahospital.org or www.facebook.com/SaratogaHospital.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Hopper
Director, Marketing and Communications
Saratoga Hospital
518.583.8679
phopper@saratogahospital.org