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Local UnityPoint volunteers saluted

16,467 hours were donated

T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown volunteer Bobbi Brandenburg of Albion, right, reacts after receiving a gift acknowledging her 355 volunteer hours to the hospital. Making the presentation to Brandenburg Wednesday night at the Medical Park was UnityPoint Health Volunteer Coordinator Nora Byers. Before taking retirement, Brandenburg worked many years as a nurse at the hospital.

More than 100 UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown volunteers were treated to the BCLUW Show Choir, brownies, ice cream and door prizes at a volunteer appreciation event Wednesday night at the UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown Medical Park.

Emcee and Volunteer Coordinator Nora Byers, of Marshalltown, acknowledged the top three volunteers – Leon Williams, Bobbi Brandenburg and Betty Gray – with special gifts.

Williams and Brandenburg are former employees who worked many years at the hospital.

After taking retirement, they came back in a different capacity.

Byers also was effusive in her praise of the UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown Auxiliary, and its significant contributions to the hospital over many decades

The auxiliary’s chicken pot pies, famous throughout Central Iowa, are sold in the fall.

“I can’t wait to have one,” Byers said.

Proceeds help fund a wide variety of patient care needs.

“On behalf of UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown, thank you for all that you do,” said UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown President Dustin Wright to the assemblage. “There will always be a place for you.”

Byers and Wright also thanked Central Iowans for their significant support of the “Lights and Sirens: Keep them Rolling” fund-raising campaign to purchase new ambulances.

The campaign was developed and coordinated by the UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown Foundation in 2017.

More than $400,000 was raised and two new ambulances are on order.

Hospital officials asked the foundation to take on the fundraising challenge because ambulances serving the hospital were high mileage and experienced significant wear and tear.

The ambulances and hospital paramedics serve all of Marshall County and Conrad in Grundy County.

Foundation Executive Director Deirdre Gruendler reported donations had come from throughout the UnityPoint Health service area, from Marshalltown to State Center.

“Also, UnityPoint Health Marshalltown team members and providers contributed more than $25,000 to the campaign,” Gruendler said. “We are so grateful for the care they provide everyday. This generosity is one more example of their commitment.”

She also cited the local Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation for its valuable contribution.

The talented and ebullient BCLUW Show Choir concluded the night’s activities with toe-tapping selections from musicals “Hairspray” and “9 to 5,” among others.

For information about volunteer opportunities at the hospital, contact Byers at 641-754-5151.

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Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com

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