SKANEATELES #FALLS - Auburn Memorial Hospital's Spring Celebration fundraiser, at The Lodge in Skaneateles Falls, was by all accounts a major success.
Angela Kershner / The Citizen
Aurora resident David Kauber listens to U.S. Postal Service representative Paul Senk at a public hearing Wednesday on the relocation of the Aurora post office.
Aurora resident David Kauber listens to U.S. Postal Service representative Paul Senk at a public hearing Wednesday on the relocation of the Aurora post office.
And it didn't hurt that the event had a bit of star power.
Making a special speaking appearance for the night was four-time Emmy Award-winning actress Valerie Harper, perhaps best known for the character, Rhoda, she played on the “Mary Tyler Moore” show.
“She has a very good message,” said Robert Bergan, president of the hospital's board of trustees. “We're thankful she is giving us her time and can be here with us.”
Harper presented a talk titled “Staying Active” which covered a wide range of topics, including her career, her feelings on the fundraiser and her personal connection with central New York.
“I have a warm spot for Auburn and the surrounding area,” Harper said. “My husband (Tony Cacciotti) was raised here and I think he got his values and generous nature and can-do attitude from growing up here.”
“The hospital was founded in 1878,” Beverly Miller, executive director of the hospital foundation said. “To put things in perspective, the first charity ball was held in 1883 and they raised $265.94. To date, and checks are still coming in we will be donating at least $75,000 to the hospital. Everyone here and everyone who couldn't be here are really rallying around and showing their support for the hospital.”
Miller also announced the several other donations, an anonymous donation of $25,000 and a $100,000 donation from the Allyn Foundation.
In recent years, the hospital has been operating at a financial loss and, according to Robert Bergan, president of the board of trustees, a night like this to show the community what the hospital is about may just be what AMH needed.
“We've had some serious financial issues in the past,” Bergan said. “Something like this gives members of the community the opportunity to learn what we are doing. And we can spread the word about how essential we are for the community. We've worked very hard to get this event together and we're pleased to see how many people have come out to show their support and it is really appreciated.”
Numerous businesses and organizations sponsored several tables for the evening, among them Hand Held Products.
Bob Nethercott, of Hand Held Products, said that it was important for the community as a whole, including businesses to show their support.
“We can reflect on what a great asset the hospital is,” Nethercott said. “And it needs our support to get back on track and overcome the current challenges. Personally I'm very optimistic about the future and I look forward to seeing what things develop in the years to come.”
Money raised from the Spring Celebration is earmarked for a new CT scanner.
According to Dr. Ed Dailey, director of radiology, this is a much-needed piece of equipment.
“When I first came to Auburn 30 years ago there was no CT imaging,” Dailey said. “There was no ultrasound. But we had to move forward. The scanner we've had has served well for 10 years but it is time to move forward again. It is a technology that is always evolving and we need to evolve with it.”
According to Dailey, this would be a big step forward and would allow the hospital to make some great technological advances including a PACS system (Picture Archive and Communication System).
“This will lead to the development of our future,” Dailey said. “We want our X-ray department to be state-of-the-art and this will improve efficiency and lead us to filmless X-rays and the retrieval and communication of information with other physicians and ultimately to a totally electronic department that will really move us forward.”
Harper said it was her husband that first got her to seriously consider her health.
“He said to me that as we get older we eat more and move less, it should be the other way around,” Harper said. “As you get older you have to find ways to make your life more active. My husband has got me to work out and on a vitamin regimen. These are all things you probably know, but as he encourages and reminds me to do these things, I encourage and remind all of you.”
Harper went on to commend all the supporters who made such generous contributions to ensure AMH's future.
“This is an idea the community needs to support,” Harper said. “Beverly Miller gave me a lot of background information and this year the hospital is 128 years old. And it all started from the very first 13-bed facility that people had to struggle and suffer for but they stuck by with the ebb and flow and said they were going to make it. And that is what all of you are doing here tonight, you are saying that you are going to make it work and make sure the hospital is here 100 years from now.”
Making a special speaking appearance for the night was four-time Emmy Award-winning actress Valerie Harper, perhaps best known for the character, Rhoda, she played on the “Mary Tyler Moore” show.
“She has a very good message,” said Robert Bergan, president of the hospital's board of trustees. “We're thankful she is giving us her time and can be here with us.”
Harper presented a talk titled “Staying Active” which covered a wide range of topics, including her career, her feelings on the fundraiser and her personal connection with central New York.
“I have a warm spot for Auburn and the surrounding area,” Harper said. “My husband (Tony Cacciotti) was raised here and I think he got his values and generous nature and can-do attitude from growing up here.”
“The hospital was founded in 1878,” Beverly Miller, executive director of the hospital foundation said. “To put things in perspective, the first charity ball was held in 1883 and they raised $265.94. To date, and checks are still coming in we will be donating at least $75,000 to the hospital. Everyone here and everyone who couldn't be here are really rallying around and showing their support for the hospital.”
Miller also announced the several other donations, an anonymous donation of $25,000 and a $100,000 donation from the Allyn Foundation.
In recent years, the hospital has been operating at a financial loss and, according to Robert Bergan, president of the board of trustees, a night like this to show the community what the hospital is about may just be what AMH needed.
“We've had some serious financial issues in the past,” Bergan said. “Something like this gives members of the community the opportunity to learn what we are doing. And we can spread the word about how essential we are for the community. We've worked very hard to get this event together and we're pleased to see how many people have come out to show their support and it is really appreciated.”
Numerous businesses and organizations sponsored several tables for the evening, among them Hand Held Products.
Bob Nethercott, of Hand Held Products, said that it was important for the community as a whole, including businesses to show their support.
“We can reflect on what a great asset the hospital is,” Nethercott said. “And it needs our support to get back on track and overcome the current challenges. Personally I'm very optimistic about the future and I look forward to seeing what things develop in the years to come.”
Money raised from the Spring Celebration is earmarked for a new CT scanner.
According to Dr. Ed Dailey, director of radiology, this is a much-needed piece of equipment.
“When I first came to Auburn 30 years ago there was no CT imaging,” Dailey said. “There was no ultrasound. But we had to move forward. The scanner we've had has served well for 10 years but it is time to move forward again. It is a technology that is always evolving and we need to evolve with it.”
According to Dailey, this would be a big step forward and would allow the hospital to make some great technological advances including a PACS system (Picture Archive and Communication System).
“This will lead to the development of our future,” Dailey said. “We want our X-ray department to be state-of-the-art and this will improve efficiency and lead us to filmless X-rays and the retrieval and communication of information with other physicians and ultimately to a totally electronic department that will really move us forward.”
Harper said it was her husband that first got her to seriously consider her health.
“He said to me that as we get older we eat more and move less, it should be the other way around,” Harper said. “As you get older you have to find ways to make your life more active. My husband has got me to work out and on a vitamin regimen. These are all things you probably know, but as he encourages and reminds me to do these things, I encourage and remind all of you.”
Harper went on to commend all the supporters who made such generous contributions to ensure AMH's future.
“This is an idea the community needs to support,” Harper said. “Beverly Miller gave me a lot of background information and this year the hospital is 128 years old. And it all started from the very first 13-bed facility that people had to struggle and suffer for but they stuck by with the ebb and flow and said they were going to make it. And that is what all of you are doing here tonight, you are saying that you are going to make it work and make sure the hospital is here 100 years from now.”
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james j. wrote on Jun 13, 2006 9:02 PM: