Torrance Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary

Between Us December 2015 Vol. 62 Issue 12

President’s Message 2015

This year has flown by and I can’t believe it's already December! The cooler winter weather is upon us and it’s time to get out your sweaters! With December being a festive time, it radiates warmth with family and friends. I include you all in both of those categories for me. 2015 has been a banner year at Torrance Memorial due to everyone's help and support. We had many wonderful luncheons, several fun day and overnight trips, a fabulous 90th party, Fashion Show and a terrific and tasty bake sale. My hope is that these events brought us together to become a closer community of volunteers. Your board members are a dedicated and creative group of volunteers who take their position seriously and look to you for comments, critique and suggestions. By the time you receive this newsletter the Holiday Festival will be in full swing with the Past President’s/General Meeting coming up on Friday, December 11th. Please remember to stop by one of our terrific gift shops for holiday gifts, or just something for yourself! As you saw at the Fashion Show, they truly have something for everyone. Thursday, January 7, 2016 is our much anticipated Installation Luncheon and General Meeting. Please write this date on your calendar, in pen, or, in your Smart Phone, and plan to attend. Your new President, David Sato, will lead the ceremonies and he and his board will officially take the reigns for a new and exciting "2016" year. It’s been a wonderful, fulfilling year for me. I learned a lot about myself, and so very much from all of you. However, the greatest gift I received all year was your kind and sincere friendship.

Beth Zager

Beth Zager

JUST A REMINDER

"Holiday Festival" Beautifully Decorated Trees, Entertainment, Holiday Gifts, Children Activities & More

December 1 – 6

for further information visit: www.TorranceMemorial.org/holidayfestival

Past Presidents Luncheon & General Meeting December 11

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

From the Director’s Desk Mary Matson

As I write this article we are anticipating Thanksgiving, but as you read it preparation for the December holidays is all around you. Recently I read a blog from health care customer service expert, The Studer Group, reminding us of the importance of gratitude and taking pride in our efforts. It reinforces what we teach at new volunteer orientation – that everyone at Torrance Memorial contributes to the patient experience no matter our role. The blog is entitled, In healthcare, there is no such thing as a “just-a”. “How many of you have said or thought you're ‘just-a’? I'm just a nurse. I'm just a tech. I'm just a volunteer. Your engagement and passion for what you do matters. We understand it can be easy to get caught up in the negative chatter around you, and to feel overwhelmed by all the change happening in healthcare right now. But there is something you can do to help yourself and the co-workers who stand beside you during the difficult times. Gratitude can be a powerful force in reigniting your passion for the work you do. During this time of year, we often take time to reflect and remind ourselves what we are thankful for.” As we conclude another busy, eventful year at Torrance Memorial I am reminded that we have many things for which to be thankful. I am grateful for each of you and your contributions to what we have accomplished as an organization. Our volunteers are definitely part of the patient experience team at Torrance Memorial! I wish you a wonderful holiday season.

Mary

Mary Matson

Welcome New Volunteers!

In November we hosted another big group of volunteers at orientation. Please give a warm Auxiliary welcome to:

Aurea Ahmad Julia Hasenbein Andrea Palma

Kristen Alvarado Chelsie Hodges Renate Pettit Carrie Anthony Gabriel Inting Kathie Radie

John Athey Brian Jeon Zakia Rashad

Edelyn Brennan Kaylin Kim Dee Rotondi Brenda Burton Yury Kim Fabiola Salgado

Claudette Campbell William Lee Marlene Savodnik

Marnie Coulter Mario Marrero Lisa Sheinberg

Dina Cramer Ann McClanathan Katerlene Tes

Vivian Dang Karen Miller Sally Thompson

Candice Davis Chase Nelson Anne Trimm

Suzette Estrada Julie Nwelih Jessica Villeda

Vickie Giles Felicia Ortiz

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Gift Shop Fashion Show - Huge Success! Our annual Gift Shop Fashion Show was held on Thursday October 29. Those in attendance were treated to a delicious soup and salmon salad lunch, with a yummy walnut tort for dessert. Beautiful fashions from the gift shop were modeled by Darol Draggoo, Jennifer Mars, Kathy Dickey, Edna Steel, Alberta Stewart-Gill, Bea Mantico, Michele Stratton, Shirley Sylvester and Linda Smith. The show was coordinated by Tina Trudnowski, and Vanina Angeloni. Assisting them were Claire Hirata and Gayle Barney. Thank you to everyone that helped to make this year’s Fashion Show a huge success. Valerie Punzal Auxiliary Programs Chairperson

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From the Gift Shops

Happy Ho! Ho! Holiday Wishes from the Gift Shops. These are just a few of the fabulous gifts we have!

Tina Trudnowski – Gift Shop Manager

REMINDER: 2016 Special Events Survey

Survey responses have been weak to date. Auxiliary members are asked to please fill out and return the blue survey form that was included in the October

Newsletter so that we may continue to offer interesting fundraising events during 2016. Your

input is important and very much needed. Surveys are available in the Volunteer Services office.

Thank you in advance.

Stuart Wilson

2016 Special Events Chairperson

Evelyn “Freckles” Silverman (3rd from left) and Joyce “Joy” Payne (2nd from right) award diplomas at our recent clown school graduation. Congratulations!

Condolences We extend our deepest condolences to Heinz Schneider, Day Surgery volunteer, on the passing of his beloved wife. Our thoughts and love to Sharon Lim whose father passed away. Sharon is a volunteer in the Grand Lobby Information Desk on Fridays. We send our condolences to Nicole Peterson whose grandmother passed away. Nicole is a volunteer in the Emergency Lobby on Tuesdays.

Duke Noor, volunteer on 6E, submitted this photo from a staff baby shower at a local restaurant for Jessica, 6E RN. Jessica and her husband Levi are surrounded by family and friends, including Duke (2nd from left, back row). Baby Ezra recently arrived. Congratulations!

Fun and Fanciful

Warm and Cuddly Nostalgic and Beautiful

Not so cuddly, but oh so popular!

December Birthdays

The following Auxiliary members have birthdays in December. Active volunteers receive a one-time 20% discount on your entire purchase in the Gift Shop in honor of your birthday, courtesy of the Gift Shop. You also get “double hours” when you volunteer on your birthday! Be sure to write “Birthday Hours” on the time sheet. If you have a birthday in December and do not see your name listed below, please contact the Volunteer Services department.

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December

*Inactive Volunteers

1 Nadine Walker 1 Sonia McCoy 1 * Keri Folks 2 Nancy Tomlinson 2 Kasandra Delgado 2 Arlene Zingery 3 Melody Sprague 3 Betty Jane Holtz 3 Jenna Tong 4 Samantha Robertson 5 * Marylen Ruston 5 Laura Wallace 5 Shelby Brown 6 * Lorrie Marino 7 Tillie Imamura 7 * Jenene Schafenacker 8 Doris Garber 8 Denise Navarrette

9 Aaron Lee 11 Mimi Brody 11 Carolyn Boettcher 11 Nel Stingley 11 * Kate Ponsen 12 Della Weinhuff 12 Mary Schaal 12 Louise Colin 13 Evelyn Silverman 13 * Karen Whitehead 13 Barbara Gauthier 13 * Katie O'Brien 14 * Dale Karls 14 Barbara Mintz 15 Stuart Wilson 15 * Era Burgos 16 Linda Madu 17 Bruce Dolph

17 Wanda Yao 17 Rosemary Doll 18 Gail Long 18 NorLu Longtin 18 Merla Wilson 18 Jay Fodor 19 Mary Ann Krauss 19 * Barbara Cameron 19 Jack Newman 19 Gail Quinn 20 Diana Mendez 20 Nitha Washington 22 * Susan Lohn 22 * Diane Augur 23 * Shera Dolmatz-Finkel 23 Sandra Waters 23 * Jean Simril 23 Nancy Tanaka

24 Jerry Funt 24 * Shirley Florez 25 * Mary Crocker 26 * Betty Belsky 26 Pat Marlowe 26 * Donna Bunn 26 Stephanie Sung 27 Jill Goodman 28 Patricia Greenwald 28 Madelene Francis 28 Christian Shazad 28 Rosemary Jangaard 30 Priscilla Streisand 31 * Karen Pano 31 Nicole Taborelli 31 * Eileen Mahoney

Bake Sale By Lindsay Imwalle

The Bake Sale in November was a hit. We earned more money than last year...$1,600+. We want to thank all the hard work put in by Maggie, Ayda, Maureen, Rose, Joanie, Bette, Joan, and Mercedes. We would also like to thank all the volunteers, their families, and the Luminaries who made this all possible with their baked goods. And, of course, all of you who purchased our goodies. If the person who made the white chocolate Cheerios pretzel goodie would please contact the volunteer office with your name, we would appreciate it. It was sold and eaten before we even opened up. Again thank you all. Joan Anderson Irene Goldman Lindsay Imwalle Bette Ireson Margaret Johnston Valerie Punzal

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Additional Fashion Show Photos

Thank You!

Thank you for my lovely flowers, plants and good wishes after my surgery. You helped speed up my recovery and I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness. Beth Zager

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The Consummate Volunteer By Allen Scarpetti

For Margaret Johnston, volunteering was introduced to her, like many, after years in a previous career. When Margaret and her family came to America in 1967, she was a stay at home mom for several years before working as a Teachers Aid and then as an interior designer for twenty plus years. Then one day she was visiting her husband at the hospital and she struck up a conversation with a volunteer who was delivering flowers to the room her husband was in. They talked for a time and he told her a story about how he started volunteering after he lost his wife to a battle with cancer. This touched Margaret's heart and it was at that moment that she decided she wanted to give back, and a brief time later, her new life as a volunteer at Torrance Memorial began. That was twelve years ago.

Margaret didn't waste any time getting involved in the various groups, clubs and organizations both in her role as a volunteer as well as with her friends outside the hospital. One of her greatest joys and her biggest hobby is knitting, and she's been doing it since she was a little girl. Now it gives her great pleasure to donate everything she knits to the Torrance Memorial Gift Shops. One of her most heartfelt stories is about a hospital visitor that bought a sweater set for a baby in Germany. At a time later, the happy family sent Margaret a photo of the baby in the sweater set. This really touched Margaret's heart. Besides knitting items for the gift shops, Margaret volunteers in Mother Baby, bingo, special events, special projects and giving the new mom chocolate chip cookies. Margaret is very happy that next year she will be joining the Auxiliary Board. Margaret needs no help keeping her spirits high and outlook positive. She is inspired by fellow volunteers that are happy to be a Torrance Memorial Volunteer. And, she's quick to tell others, that volunteering is rewarding and fun, and the perfect place to meet incredible and inspiring individuals. Margaret is thankful each day she walks in and out of the hospital healthy and able to continue volunteering. Irene Goldman, volunteer and personal friend of Margaret, had the following to say about her, "Margaret Johnston is the consummate volunteer. She rarely ever says ‘no’ to anything she's asked to do, and always goes above and beyond what is asked of her. She is energetic, dedicated, is giving of herself for the good of others and the organization. A friend of hers once said, ‘15 people wouldn't be enough to do what Margaret does. Nobody realizes how much work she puts into everything she does’.” When Margaret isn't volunteering she keeps busy with other organizations. She's very involved with a British group which she's belonged to for over 30 years and has been the president for the last 6 years. She also belongs to the United Scottish Society that puts on the Highland games every Memorial Day weekend. She also belongs to the Beach Cities Newcomers where she plays Bunco twice a month. Although Margaret's days are filled with what she truly loves, nothing means more to her than her husband of 57 years, her daughter and son, and three grandchildren.

3330 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505

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December 2015