Three community members reveal why they support MMCSC
Harriet Selinger
Hometown: Lakewood
Number of years she's raised funds for MMCSC: 42
When Harriet Selinger was growing up, her parents owned a store. So when she was looking for a volunteer opportunity in 1977 she decided to work at the hospital gift shop, whose profits went to MMCSC’s Foundation. Initially, Harriet worked only two days a week, but at one point, she worked there daily. "The hospital asked us to install a lottery machine in the gift shop, and we had to teach 20 to 25 volunteers how to use it," she recalls. Harriet knew the gift shop so well that when the hospital built a new wing and the gift shop was relocated, she spoke with the architects about the flooring. "They wanted to install a tile floor, and we advised them not to do that because items from the gift shop could break," she says.
Over time, Harriet became the bookkeeper and chairperson of the gift shop. She also joined the Lakewood Auxiliary, which raised money for MMCSC. The Lakewood Auxiliary Gift Shop donated many thousands of dollars over the years. "The hospital would tell us what medical equipment was needed, and we raised funds to help purchase it," says Harriet, who eventually became treasurer and president. Harriet also joined the Auxiliary Council, which is composed of the leadership of five Auxiliaries and the hospital’s three thrift shops. She became president of the Council as well.
As president, she had a seat on the hospital’s Board of Trustees. She also became chairperson of the Board at Kimball Manchester Ambulatory Care Center. "I’m proud of my involvement," says Harriet. "When I started volunteering, MMCSC was a small hospital called Kimball Medical Center. It’s been nice to watch it grow over time. My first granddaughter was born there 23 years ago, and I’ve received excellent care in the Emergency Department."
Harriet is so grateful to MMCSC that she has given the hospital a personal gift, which will be use d to fund a coronary computed tomography angiography, or CCTA, machine. This equipment uses computed tomography (CT) imaging and an intravenous contrast dye to quickly determine whether a patient with chest pain has narrowing or a blockage in the coronary arteries in the Emergency Department. Over time, plaque (fat, cholesterol and calcium) can build up in the blood ves sels that supply the heart, reducing or blocking blood flow.
Rob Sickel
Hometown: Brick
Number of years he's raised funds for MMCSC: 5
Rob Sickel, the owner of Pine Belt Cars, is following in his father’s footsteps. "My dad, who was a second-generation owner of Pine Belt Cars, was involved with MMCSC," he says. "He felt that giving back to the local hospital was a way to give back to the community." Today, Pine Belt supports all of MMCSC’s Foundation events—the annual golf fund raiser, humanitarian gala and the flavors of the Jersey Shore Food & Wine Tasting "We host the Food and Wine Tasting event on a Thursday night every year in October," says Rob, who is chairman of the MMCSC Foundation Board and a member of the Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) Operating Board, which oversees MMC and MMCSC. Local restaurants, spirits distributors and craft breweries provide wonderful food and drink samplings.
"When we started doing this five years ago, 200 people showed up," says Rob. "Now we have 400 people. We love to bring people to our showroom to support a good cause." This year, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, funds raised from the event will go toward cancer services at MMCSC. Raising funds for the hospital helps to purchase new medical equipment, upgrade the operating rooms and keep new talent, says Rob. It’s instrumental for the future of the hospital."
Rob also donates his time to MMCSC as chairman of the medical policy subcommittee, which focuses on patient satisfaction scores and the hospital’s ranking. "I’m proud of my involvement in this committee," says Rob. "Everyone works hard to ensure we are delivering the best patient experience possible."
Kathy McGill
Hometown: Lakewood
Number of years she's raised funds for MMCSC: 20
Two decades ago, Kathy McGill moved to the Fairways adult community, which had just opened. A woman she knew was involved with the Fairways Auxiliary. "I believed in the hospital, and I wanted to get involved in fund-raising," she says. Kathy organized many fundraisers at the Fairways, including dances, bus trips to shopping centers, afternoon tea parties and fashion shows. Eventually, she became president of the Fairways Auxiliary.
Over the past 20 years, the group has raised approximately $100,000 for MMCSC." These funds have been used for improvements at the hospital, such as renovations to the Emergency Department and new equipment for the radiology department," says Kathy.
Today, the Fairways Auxiliary has 290 members. They hold many fund-raising events, including a catered brunch in the summer, which had already sold 200 tickets at press time. Kathy is currently treasurer of the ..airways Auxiliary, as well as the Auxiliary Council. The Council’s main fundraiser is the annual luncheon at The Clarion, which will be held on October 11 this year.
"I feel strongly about helping the hospital and the community," says Kathy, who has also given MMCSC a personal gift to support upgrades to operating room technology and equipment.