Every year, when the all-volunteer St. Tammany Hospital Guild presents its annual donation to the nonprofit St. Tammany Hospital Foundation, it’s a big deal. Like, literally.
As is customary for significant donations, the foundation trots out its giant, Ed McMahon-size check. Photos are taken. Applause rings out. General hoopla ensues.
This year, though, they just might need a bigger check.
For starters, the guild’s 2024 donation, at $45,000, is heftier than usual. But also, it pushes the cumulative amount the group has donated to the foundation past the half-million dollar threshold in the 21 years since the foundation was established in 2003.
Every dollar of that money has been invested directly into the health system and its programs.
“We love doing it,” Guild President John Sammons said. “We look forward to making the donation every year, and we get a lot of gratification that we were able to reach that milestone. But it really is a lot of people putting in a lot of effort.”
Specifically, he name-checked Ken Lane, his predecessor as guild president, and St. Tammany Health System Volunteer Services Manager Shirley Primes. But, Mr. Sammons said, it also includes the work of hundreds of guild members who have donated millions of collective people hours to the hospital since the guild was founded in March 1955 in support of the then-new hospital’s healing mission.
In that time, guild members have worked in nearly every square inch of the hospital, assisting patients, their families and staff in innumerable ways.
They also host various fundraisers, including yearly jewelry and linen bazaars, proceeds from which go toward scholarships for STHS staff.
The bulk of the guild’s money, however, comes through operation of the hospital gift shop. After covering expenses, including the cost of Teddy bears for pediatric inpatients, that gift shop money goes to the foundation.
Among other things, its most recent gift is earmarked for such initiatives as the health system’s inpatient food pantry; operation of the Be Well Bus mobile health clinic; and the therapeutic food pantry and the transportation program at St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center.
In the process, the generosity of the guild’s membership has drawn both appreciation and admiration from all quarters.
“I completely share in the guild’s excitement about crossing the half-million dollar threshold in donations,” foundation Executive Director Nicole Suhre said. “Our foundation board continues to be in awe of the selfless work these volunteers do. The fact that they choose to spend their time in service to St. Tammany Health System is deeply humbling, and their generous contributions are just the icing on the cake.”
Learn more about St. Tammany Hospital Guild, including how you can become a member, at StTammany.health/volunteer.