This ‘game-changer’ will keep Richland hospital program alive

They help Kadlec patients and visitors get where they need to go.

They man the gift shops at the hospital and healthplex. They even sew gowns, sheets and comfort pillows.

And now they’ve saved an entire program — one that’s been around 30 years and serves thousands in the community.

Kadlec Auxiliary — a volunteer group that helps throughout the Kadlec system — is donating $750,000 for Kadlec’s Health Ages program.

The program helps people age 50 and older through a variety of services, from education sessions to monthly Medicare information classes.

It also coordinates the popular Mall Walkers program.

The gift announced Monday will be provided over five years starting in 2018.

The donation is a “game-changer,” said Chris Garratt, chief development officer of the Kadlec Foundation.

Healthy Ages has been paid for out of general hospital operations, he said. But that wouldn’t be possible for much longer, as private and public insurance programs can’t be billed to help with the costs.

Had the auxiliary not stepped up to the level it did, “it’s likely (Healthy Ages) would have gone away,” Garratt said.

Garratt said Healthy Ages’ work is important. While many of Kadlec’s efforts are about saving lives, that program’s work is preventive and is about “saving lifestyles,” he said.

The Kadlec Auxiliary has a long history in the area. It’s been around for nearly 70 years.

Its 200-or-so volunteers do everything from clerical work, to helping with mail and working in the gift shops.

Since 2005, the auxiliary has donated more than $2 million to the Kadlec Foundation to help with system needs. Its primary source of income is the Kadlec gift shops.

Carol Schreck, auxiliary president, said that while her group has volunteers of varying ages, many are 50-plus and understand the benefit of Healthy Ages.

“We really appreciate what they do for the seniors in the community,” she said. “We are glad to contribute what we can to them.”

The auxiliary is in need of more volunteers. For more information, email meg.fallows@kadlec.org.

This story was originally published December 18, 2017 at 5:17 PM with the headline "This ‘game-changer’ will keep Richland hospital program alive."