By MARGIE WUEBKER
mwuebker@dailystandard.com
ST. MARYS — A tisket. A tasket. Creativity and goodies
combined in an attractive basket.
Anne Larger, community outreach coordinator at Joint Township
District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, had no idea what to
expect when she issued a challenge to various hospital departments.
Select a theme and create a gift basket to be sold at auction
during Casino Night for Cancer on Oct. 25 at the Galleria in
Celina. Winners would come away with pizza coupons and bragging
rights.
“I expected eight or maybe 10 baskets,” Larger said
looking over tables bearing 21 unique entries. “This is
an overwhelming response from creative and generous team players.”
Carrie Homan, who works in the administrative office, believes
the competition sparked camaraderie throughout the hospital.
“Everything was hush-hush in the beginning,” she
admitted with a chuckle. “Then spies went to work trying
to find out the themes. Pizza and bragging rights are powerful
incentives. All kidding aside, participants had fun collaborating
for a worthwhile cause.”
Patients in the sixth-floor transitional care unit and their
families cast the deciding votes.
The transitional care unit staff faced stiff competition, but
their “Tailgate Party” entry saluting The Ohio State
University Buckeyes garnered the most votes.
Unit clerks Claudine Hawk and Bernie Newbauer accepted the accolades
on behalf of the department. No date has been set for the celebration
party financed with $50 in coupons provided by Pizza Hut.
“One of our residents suggested an Ohio State theme,”
Newbauer said. “Everybody got in on the action by donating
items.”
Instead of a basket, they settled on a 48-quart cooler and added
an array of scarlet and gray items ranging from a key chain
and mug to an OSU scarf and hat.
The telemetry department (coronary care and intensive care)
finished second with “Down Memory Lane,” a gift
certificate and a collection of antique items arranged in a
faux leather chest. They, too, will enjoy a pizza party thanks
to $30 in coupons.
It seems appropriate physical therapy and occupational therapy
employees should celebrate their third-place finish with $20
in pizza coupons. Beginning with a large basket, their “Taste
of Italy” entry included a veritable smorgasbord of pasta
products, sauces and spices. The high bidder won’t be
left in a quandry about what to make because there is a large
cookbook chockful of tasty suggestions.
The gals in pediatrics intended to put all their toys, games,
crayons, books and candy into a basket. However, they couldn’t
find one big enough. They ultimately settled for a shiny red
wagon and dubbed the entry “Radio Flyer Fun.”
Radiology offers a lucky bidder the opportunity of being “Queen
for a Day” with assorted body care products and even a
sparkling tiara. A whimsical stuffed cow urges the recipient
“To get in the mooood for a massage” with an accompanying
gift certificate.
The emergency crew cooked up a “Red Hot Emergency”
complete with assorted hot sauces, salsas, chips and margarita
mixes. Boxed keepsakes and a gift certificate to a Mexican restaurant
round out the offerings sure to light a fire under someone’s
bonnet.
Housekeeping employees put together “Handy Dandy Tool
Kit” featuring assorted hand tools, a flashlight and even
an all-purpose measuring tape. There’s even Bob the Builder
bandages in the event a project takes a nasty turn.
Other participating departments and their entry themes included:
materials management’s “Feel Good Basket,”
patient accounts’ “Tool Box,” outpatient clinic’s
“To a Buckeye Fan,” administration’s “By
the Fireside,” surgery’s “Patriotic Basket,”
JTDM Foundation’s “50th Anniversary Fun Bag,”
obstetrics’ “Rainy Day Bag,” medical records’
“A Romantic Getaway,” cardiac services’ “Legend
of Sleepy Hollow Stress Lab,” laboratory’s “Workout
Basket,” Celina Medical Center’s “Octoberfest,”
food services’ “Italian Fare for Four” and
second floor’s “The Games People Play.”
Proceeds from the auction of the baskets will benefit The Cancer
Network of West Central Ohio and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer
Foundation.
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