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2023 Recap of The Friends of Sauk Prairie Healthcare

Summary of 2023 Activities

The activities of the Friends of SPH picked up momentum as the year progressed. Our first big event for the year was celebrating our volunteers at the Dorf Haus for National Volunteer Week in April.

We were able to bring back a fun Raffle Basket in the fall, and we served 58 guests during our Luncheon Card Party in October. Our Love Lights ceremony in December brought people together to remember and honor loved ones. Our largest fundraiser, the Sauk Prairie Hospital Gift Shop, raised a record-breaking $50,000 to allow the Friends to continue their mission to “improve our hospital and clinics through service, education and special projects”. We were happy to host Paul’s Chocolates onsite for fundraising sales three times last year and held two logowear sales as well.

Love Lights Recap

The Friends held their annual Love Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony in person again this year on the first Monday night in December. The event featured the beautiful music of Mitch Richards while our CEO, Shawn Lerch, and Derek Rosenstiel, Hospice Chaplain for Agrace, shared words of reflection and inspiration to honor and remember loved ones. The names shared from donors in attendance were read aloud as we gave honor to those tributes. Thank you to all the supporters who purchased lights to support the program. The printed list of tributes can be found here.

Funding by Friends of SPH

In the past year, the Friends of SPH generously granted over $37,000 to Sauk Prairie Healthcare. The following disbursements highlight the impactful contributions made by the Friends of SPH:

  • Two Stryker Wheelchairs were purchased to equip our Emergency Department and Acute Care Department with the most safe and easy to use wheelchairs available to enhance our patient’s safety and comfort.

  • A specialized Behavioral Health Bed and mattress were acquired for our Emergency Department. This low-to-the-floor bed is equipped with safety features such as ligature point-free design, tamper-resistant fasteners, and safety screws to ensure the well-being of behavior and mental health patients.

  • A $10,000 grant was provided to purchase a Bladder Scanner for the Acute Care Department. This essential equipment aids in understanding the amount of urine in the bladder, facilitating clinical decisions and improving patient outcomes without any invasive procedures or risks.

  • The Sleep Lab received a grant of $2,600 to acquire a Ritter M9D Steam Sterilizer, enhancing patient care by ensuring the highest quality in mask disinfection and preventing cross-contamination between patients.

  • Another purchase for the Sleep Lab was an End Tidal CO2 Monitor, which monitors carbon monoxide levels during sleep. This equipment enables comprehensive respiratory care, providing vital information for the monitoring techs to ensure the health and well-being of patients in the lab.

  • The Environmental Services Department received funding for an iMop Lite Walk Behind Scrubber. This equipment enhances efficiency in cleaning small spaces that would typically require manual cleaning.

  • A donation was made to support Volunteer Services, and recognize the support given to the Friends by SPH.

  • Additional funding requests have been approved and are awaiting delivery due to delays.

Thank you for your continued support. The Friends of SPH are honored to partner with Sauk Prairie Healthcare to fulfill their mission of “Extraordinary healthcare from the heart – one person at a time”. We are making a difference in the lives of patients, staff, and visitors!!

Mobile Meals - Friends of SPH Delivery

The Friends deliver Mobile Meals the 3rd and 4th weeks of February and again the 3rd and 4th weeks of July. We are looking for teams to help with meal deliveries. If you are able to help at all, please indicate it on your renewal form, or contact the Volunteer Office at 643-7257. Our Committee Chair, Susie Riedesel, will once again coordinate schedules to cover our weeks. Thanks to Susie for her help!

Blood Drives Sponsored by Friends

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make our 2023 blood drives a success. Chairperson Monica Barman is very appreciative for the great assistance given at each drive. We are planning 2024 dates so far of May 20 and September 16 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 100 Oak Street, Prairie du Sac. If you are interested in helping, please indicate this on your renewal form.