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COOK HOSPITAL HEALTHCARE AUXILIARY
Auxiliary | Board of Directors | History of Cook Hospital | About Us | Senior Leadership
Mission: The purpose of the auxiliary is to promote and advance the welfare of the Cook Area Hospital and Nursing Home through ways approved by the governing board of the hospital. This purpose is accomplished through approved fund raising, primarily the operation of a Thrift Shop.
THRIFT SHOP INFORMATION
LOCATION:
The Thrift Shop
320 SE 3rd AvenueCook, MN 55723
218-666-2905
Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursdays, Fridays and the second and fourth Saturday of each month from April through October.
WINTER HOURS vary.
February and March 2010 the shop will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the 2nd and 4th weeks of each month.
Come in to see our new look. You can find most everything, men’s women’s, infant, children and teen clothing, shoes and accessories. A wide selection of books, toys and sporting goods, jewelry, dishes and glassware, knick knacks, and miscellaneous items. Specialty sections set up for seasonal items, centerpieces, antiques and special buys.
Donations can be dropped off at any time in our Donation Shed next door to the building. Items should be clean and in good condition. PLEASE DO NOT DONATE any electronics, mattresses, car seats, television sets and non working appliances. We can not sell them and it costs the Auxiliary to dispose of them. Furniture can be accepted on a space available basis. Please call on Monday or Wednesday a.m. or open days with questions, 666-2905.
Our shop is operated by Volunteer Auxiliary Members. Membership dues are $3 a year or $50 for a life time membership. Become an active or supportive member by purchasing a membership at the Thrift Shop or call Judy Posch, membership chair, at 666-3150 for an application.
Special events include raffles, a holiday bazaar on the first Friday in December, a community style show every other year.
HISTORY
October 2, 1954, the Cook Hospital Auxiliary began with fourteen members. A Silver Tea was held and earned $35.12. A Million Dollar Penny Drive raised $138.76 in 1954 and another $558.91 in 1955. In 1956, $800 was given to the Cook Hospital Association and another $700 in 1959.
During the 1960's, a scholarship program began. $550 was given to 10 different recipients interested in pursuing further education in a medical field. Scholarships have continued to be available to high school students interested in some aspect of medicine, one from Cook and one from Orr each year. Applications are available through the high school’s guidance counselor. Scholarships are also available for hospital or nursing home employees who choose to upgrade their skills and applications are available through the Director of Nursing.
Since the beginning, the auxiliary has provided funds for hospital and nursing home needs, including equipment, appliances, furniture and items to improve the quality of life and health care of residents. During the 60’s, over $6,200 was donated to purchase equipment, such as a flame photometer, therapy equipment, a porta-lift, a refrigerator, rocking chairs, an ice machine, a TV, material for drapery, items for the pediatric unit and beginning equipment for a beauty shop. Additional funds helped to promote the hospital by funding an Open House and receptions for new doctors and to fund some extras for the nursing home residents, such as Christmas parties, flowers, and even a Thanksgiving turkey.
$19,497 was given to the hospital and nursing home during the 1970’s, $61,560 in the ‘80s, and $67,561 in the 1990’s. The range of items purchased was beauty shop supplies to a washer and dryer, x-ray equipment, warming closed for warming blankets and dining room chairs.
In April of 2004, a new Thrift Shop building was opened at its current location. Many volunteer hours, generous donations from the community, and hundreds of shoppers have allowed the Thrift Shop to thrive and continue its mission. From January 2000 through December 2009, the Auxiliary donated over $110,000. These funds were used to finish the new dining room for the nursing home residents, furnish a hospital room in the new hospital, purchase two patient Hoyer lifts, wheeled reclining chairs, new lift chairs, a dryer for the laundry, additional beauty shop equipment, and partial funding of a minibus, among other things. $15,000 was made available in 2010 to purchase a weight-less mobility system for use by the rehabilitation department.
The goal of the Cook Area Health Care Auxiliary is to raise a minimum of $20,000 each year for use by the hospital and nursing home. Appreciation goes out to our shoppers, donators and, especially, our volunteers.
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