Perceiving a need for Catholic women to participate in service
to the community, Msgr. Joseph Toomey, the first director of
Catholic Charities in Binghamton, formed the Patronesses in 1937.
In 1954, Lourdes Hospital administrator Sister Celeste
requested that the Patronesses organize a women's auxiliary. On
February 2, 1955, in response to letters sent to interested
individuals and women's groups of all faiths, 84 women met to
launch Lourdes Hospital Auxiliary.
The need for separate entities - Auxiliary and Volunteer -
became evident as the hospital grew. The Auxiliary would focus
on fundraising and social activities while the Volunteers, under
the direction of Volunteer Services, made contributions of
time and talent to many areas of the hospital.
Auxiliary Donations to Lourdes
2012
|
In 2012, the Auxiliary paid over $150,000 toward its $1 million
pledge to the hospital's "Mission 2012" construction project,
bringing its cumulative payments on that pledge to $617,300. The
Auxiliary's monetary contributions to the hospital since 1955 now
stand at over $2.85 million.
|
2007
|
At its annual dinner in October, the Auxiliary paid the final
$100,000 on the $1 million pledged in 2001. In November, the
Auxiliary pledged ANOTHER $1 million, this time toward the
hospital's "Mission 2012" construction project.
|
2005
|
The Auxiliary celebrated its 50th anniversary by instituting the
"Making Wishes Come True" grant program. Lourdes employees are
invited to apply for funds to purchase items that would enhance
their departments. Grants awarded total $5,000 - $7,000 per
year.
|
2001
|
$600,000 pledge - raised to $1 million in 2003 - for renovations
to the Women & Children's Center, Intensive Care Unit,
Ross and Seton floors, and construction of the Medical Oncology
building.
|
1998
|
$50,000 for construction of the Lourdes Gift Shop and Café
DePaul in the new atrium.
|
1996
|
$350,000 pledge toward the $4.4 million campaign for the
Radiation Therapy facility. The pledge was paid in full in
October 2000.
|
1992
|
$250,000 pledge toward the $3.5 million campaign to expand the
Emergency Department, build a new nursery, and assist in
Center/West construction. The pledge was paid in full in October
1995. |
1989
|
$285,000 pledge to fund construction of an on-campus child care
center. In honor of Nelson Ellis, the Auxiliary named the
facility "The Kathryn and Nelson Ellis Child Care Center." The
pledge was paid in full in October 1991. |
1988
|
$30,000 for Sweet Shop (now Café dePaul) renovations. |
1987
|
$25,000 to help purchase a pediatric respirator. |
1985
|
$10,000 to support the work of the DeMarillac Clinic for women
unable to afford prenatal care. |
1984
|
$25,000 for medical equipment. |
1983
|
$225,000 pledge toward the $4 million "Campaign for Lourdes" to
purchase a CT scanner, Nuclear Medicine
equipment, monitors for the Intensive Care Unit and other items.
The pledge was paid in full in October 1986. |
1981
|
$22,000 for Emergency Department two-way radio system to enable
ambulances to call and receive
instructions, and $20,000 for Nursery equipment and
furnishings. |
