February 19, 2010 The Central Vermont Medical Center Auxiliary recently awarded checks to two Central Vermont Medical Center programs.
The first check went to the Rehab Services Department to purchase an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) for the Rehab facility located at 1311 Barre Montpelier Rd. (Next to the Vermont Lottery). Sudden cardiac arrest happens more than 700 times a day in the United States. The mortality rate due to this event accounts for 250,000 deaths per year, according to The American Heart Association. All of the staff is CPR and AED certified.
The second check was awarded to the “knitting ministry.” This is a huge community-wide effort, synchronized by CVMC Spiritual Care Coordinator Carolyn Herz, to provide handmade shawls to our patients. “The shawls are beautiful and warm, and patients find them very comforting,” said Carolyn. “Many of them are created in a context of mindful meditation, imbuing the shawls with intentions of hope and peace. All are made with loving kindness and given with a prayer for healing.”
“The benefits are not confined to patients. When patients are discharged to home or to skilled facilities, they frequently face diminished functioning and independence, and suffer from a fear of impending uselessness. We offer them the opportunity to knit for us,” continued Carolyn, “contributing something of great beauty and value to others, while at the same time discovering a renewed sense of purpose.”
Although CVMC encourages knitters to provide their own acrylic yarn, at least fifty percent are unable to do so. The donation from the Auxiliary helps to provide yarn for knitters who have limited funds.
The CVMC Auxiliary operates the gift shop off the main lobby at the hospital and the Bene-Fit Shop, a thrift store in Barre. The Bene-Fit Shop is located to the left of Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel on Main Street in Barre with plenty of free parking in front of the shop. They are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds from the Bene-Fit Shop and the gift shop are used to support programs at CVMC and provide scholarships to local students studying for a career in health care.
Membership in the auxiliary is open to all persons who are interested in the purposes and activities of the organization. Membership dues are $10 per calendar year. Contact Robin Brandis for more information at 802-371-4375, robin.brandis@cvmc.org or visit CVMC’s web site for an application www.cvmc.org
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