NEMHS Event Attract Large Crowd To Raise Funds For Children’s Medical Equipment
One of the fundraising events by the NEMHS Charitable Foundation took on a different format this year.
Instead of a more formal banquet, a “Par Tee on the Green” was held at the Wolf Point Airport Golf Club on Friday, June 25. The event featured lawn games for all ages as well as grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and steaks.
“We made it a kids’ event because we’re raising money for kids’ medical equipment this year,” explained Beth Pickthorn, executive director of the NEMHS Charitable Foundation.
The atmosphere was very positive as families took in all of the fun provided at the golf course. The event attracted 50 adults and 35-40 children.
“I’m very happy,” Pickthorn said. “It’s a great turnout for a fun time to celebrate kids.”
The 24th annual NEMHS Charitable Foundation golf tournament took place Saturday, June 26. The tournament was dedicated to the memory of the late Sharon Dschaak.
Arin Grainger is the chair of the foundation’s board of directors. Lydania Hagadone is vice chair. Other directors include Rodney Paulson, Stuart Conner, Kerry Hanks, Jonathon Thompson, Dustin Hunsaker and Kristen Kurokawa.
The foundation’s “Caring 4 the Children” campaign has a goal of purchasing close to $30,000 in necessities that will assist the departments of obstetrics, laboratory, nursing, surgical, emergency medical services along with occupational therapy and physical therapy.
A giraffe infant warmer with a built-in integrated resuscitation unit will be added for obstetrics, nursing and the surgical departments. The giraffe warmer is a wheeled cart with a series of gauges embedded along a column at the front, topped by a heat lamp. When a newborn is laid on the cart’s small table, nurses can record its weight, measure heart rate and oxygen levels and even resuscitate the baby if necessary.
A Jaundice screening meter will be purchased for the laboratory. The device will assist with jaundice management for newborns. The meter will read the skin of the newborn instantly instead of uncomfortable blood draws and time waiting for lab results.
Another item benefiting obstetrics and the nursing staff caring for newborns will be the purchase and program of HALO SleepSack Swaddles. The blanket wrap is an adjustable swaddle bunting that immobilizes baby’s arms to prevent the ‘Moro’ or startle reflex and is the only three-way adjustable swaddle that adjusts to the baby’s sleep style. In addition to sleeping more safely, HALO SleepSack swaddle blankets help babies sleep better.
The emergency medical services department of NEMHS will receive two Pedi- Mates, which is an emergency child restraint system. The device is designed to safely secure children weighing 4 to 110 pounds on an adult-size cot during EMS transport in any emergency vehicle. Other additions will include and Itinerant support frame, an Airwalker and 12 new infant car seats.
The foundation’s next event is its annual fall Spikes and Spurs Gala which is being combined with the annual Parade of Trees. Tentative date is the first weekend of December.
