Published: June 12, 2009 01:55 pm      

Floyd Memorial Hospital gets new shuttle

Car was funded by FMH Auxiliary

Several employees, volunteers and onlookers welcomed an addition to the Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services family Thursday afternoon.

This new arrival came with four tires, a horn, and was purchased and equipped for $25,000.

Thanks to the Floyd Memorial Auxiliary, the hospital has a 2009 Scion Xb, which will be used to shuttle visitors and patients from their cars to the main entrance of the hospital. Not only was the car and all the accessories donated, but the shuttle will be operated by six volunteers from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

“It’s quite a gift,” said Linda Hendrich, executive director of the Floyd Memorial Hospital Foundation. “Because of the design of our parking lot, the auxiliary brought it to our attention and felt like we needed it. They purchased the car and paid for all the setup costs.”

The auxiliary raises money through several fundraisers each year. The biggest fundraiser is the gift shop, which is operated by hospital volunteers. They also have uniform and flower sales each year along with other events.

“We couldn’t do the things that we do for this community without our volunteers,” said Mark Shugarman, president and CEO of the hospital. “This will make access to our hospital much easier. This was a very generous gift from our auxiliary.”

Karen Langdon, manager of volunteer services, said there are around 200 active volunteers at the hospital. The volunteers who will operate the shuttle include Don Beck, David Boren, Bobby Whitlow, Bob Loy, T.J. Banet and Kermit Hendrich.

“They are a great bunch of volunteers. I just love them,” Langdon said.

Shugarman said the walk from the parking lot to the main entrance can be a long one for many, and the shuttle will now make the visit to the hospital a more pleasant experience.

“We are really blessed to have a great group of people like our auxiliary who are dedicated to the patients and to this hospital,” he said.



SO YOU KNOW

• The Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services shuttle will be operated from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The vehicle will be used to transport visitors and patients from their vehicles to the main entrance of the hospital. The shuttle begins operation today.