Volunteers Honored During Annual Auxiliary Luncheon
12/16/2019
This article originally appeared in The Mooresville Tribune on Sunday, December 15, 2019 on pages 10A and 11A. It was written by Karen Kistler, who can be reached at kkistler@mooresvilletribune.com.
It was a day to say thanks as the volunteers gathered at the annual auxiliary holiday luncheon, hosted by Lake Norman Regional Medical Center. Held Dec. 6 at On The Nines at Mooresville Golf Course, the room was beautifully decorated with snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and each table had a red birdhouse sitting in the center of what represented snow accented with small lights.
Carol Pentol, president of the Volunteer Auxiliary, began the program by sharing her thanks to all who were in attendance along with a special thanks to the volunteers for all of their hard work and help.
Following the presentation of colors by the Hough High School Color Guard and the singing of the National Anthem, volunteer chaplain Charles Doutt shared some thoughts on various symbols of Christmas like the wreath and candy cane and what they represent and then provided the invocation.
A special part of the event followed as the group was asked to prepare for the annual “Teddy Bear Parade.” Each was encouraged to bring a stuffed animal with them to the luncheon, which was then donated to the Mooresville and Davidson police departments which in turn will share them with children in crisis as the needs arise. Several of the officers from the MPD, along with two other hospital volunteers, collected the stuffed animals as the volunteers participated in the parade.
Leigh Whitfield, director of marketing and public relations, added her thanks to the volunteers as she thanked them for all being at the “excellent event.”
“For some volunteers, it’s about giving,” Whitfield shared. “For you, it’s a way of living. We thank you every day, but we don’t thank you enough. You are all superheroes in the lives of those you help every day.”
Whitfield then told the group that if their life was a Twitter page, “it would read #kindness, #compassion and #benevolence.”
She thanked them each for “being so caring, loving and helpful. By volunteering you have given the best gift ever. You have given your time and talents. Thanks for volunteering,” she concluded.
Steve Midkiff, CEO of the hospital, took the podium and looking out over the crowd, he said, “You are always a warm welcome. It’s always a pleasure to come and speak to you and it’s really nice to see you all gathered. Thank you for your selflessness and thoughtfulness.”
Midkiff echoed the sentiment that the volunteers are a blessing. You “represent what no other Lake Norman (Regional Medical Center) employee can do. You are giving of your time and energy.”
He followed by sharing updates as far as the medical field is concerned and closed by telling the gathered group that “no matter what happens in the future, (we) always hope there is always a group like in this room, giving one-on-one, welcome, loving care.”
Pentol thanked both Leigh and Steve for their service after which everyone was invited to enjoy the meal catered by On the Nines. Christmas music played as everyone ate and chatted with those at their respective tables.
Following the meal, the newest volunteers were recognized. Raffle tickets were then drawn with the winners receiving the bird house centerpieces.
The crowd was then asked to join in singing “Here Comes Santa Claus” and as they sang, bells could be heard and Santa entered the room. Santa then asked the crowd to sing “Jingle Bells” followed by “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Santa then went around the room to each table and posed for a picture with each group.
Special gifts of thanks were presented and everyone was wished a Merry Christmas and given a candy cane decorated to look like a reindeer, made by Pentol.
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