SEQUIM — The Sequim Dungeness Hospital Guild — a group of 102 members that has contributed nearly $1.7 million to the community since it began in early 1970s — donated more than $29,000 during its annual appreciation luncheon last week.
At the luncheon attended by 160 people at the Club 7 of the 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn on Wednesday, Jean Janis, guild president, announced the donations, and attendees participated in a silent auction and enjoyed a fashion show, said Adeline Curtis, publicity chairwoman.
The guild donated $10,000 to the Olympic Medical Center toward construction of a heliport on Fifth Avenue in Sequim.
It donated another $10,000 to the Health and Wellness Clinic in Sequim, to help it continue to provide care to people without medical insurance.
Also, seven students will receive scholarships of $900 each.
The students, their hometowns, degree programs and universities, are:
• Anna Fox, Sequim, doctoral program in medical anthropology, University of Washington School of Medicine
• Marissa Loosli, Sequim, doctoral program in physical therapy, Pacific University.
• Hannah Ohnstad, Sequim, bachelor of science program in nursing, University of Washington.
• Leanna Schaafsma, Sequim, master’s program in occupational therapy, University of Puget Sound
• Lesley Everett, Port Angeles, doctoral program in genetic research, University of Michigan Medical School.
• Tracy Kuhn, Port Angeles, doctoral program in physical therapy, Eastern Washington University.
• David Lewis, Port Angeles, doctoral program in osteopathy, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.
The Peninsula College nursing program received $1,500 to award three scholarships.
Since it began, the guild has donated $50,000 to the school of nursing, Curtis said.
The money was made available through profits from the Sequim-Dungeness Hospital Guild Thrift Shop at 204 W. Bell St., Sequim.
One of the founders of the guild, Emma Hutchins, was introduced at the luncheon, and she told about the inception of the guild, as an idea of a few people, and its growth through the decades, Curtis said.
Nine guild members modeled outfits from the guild’s thrift shop.
New officers for 2010-11 are Jean Janis, president; Basha Gatien, vice president; Cabrini Gamache, treasurer; Donna Huswick, secretary; and Connie Hixon, thrift shop chairman.
