Auxiliary

Membership • Board Members • Meetings
Scholarships • Gift Shops • Fundraisers

"Dedicated to serving our healthcare community."

The Auxiliary has distinguished itself as an integral part of the hospital. Its multi-million dollar fundraising efforts have been responsible for contributions to major undertakings at the hospital.

The Auxiliary is rich with a history of providing ideas, financial support and volunteerism to complement the ever-spiraling growth and technological needs of healthcare.

History

The Auxiliary at New Britain General was formed on March 25, 1899, as the “Woman’s Hospital Board” with dues of $1.00 per year and a membership of 294 women. Our Auxiliary is one of the oldest in the country and first served wounded soldiers from the Spanish-American War. In 1928, the name was changed to the “Women’s Auxiliary of New Britain General Hospital”, and women could work in the hospital from 10:00-4:00 on Thursdays; 186 volunteers signed up. Duties were to solicit bed linens, kitchen supplies, utensils, and reading material; fundraising activities included collecting hospital donations at churches.

The name remained as such until 1968 when it was renamed “The New Britain General Hospital Auxiliary". In 2006, New Britain General Hospital and Bradley Memorial Hospital merged to form one hospital while maintaining two separate campuses. The Auxiliary’s name then became The Hospital of Central Connecticut Auxiliary at New Britain General. As discussed in detail below, the role of Auxiliary members has changed but continues to be involved in numerous programs and services which benefit patients, visitors, and staff at the hospital as well as residents of the community that we serve.

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Join the Auxiliary

Join the Auxiliary and discover the power of community and the importance of a welcoming place in which you may contribute your talents and knowledge to further our fundraising efforts!

Membership is available at several levels with no required monthly meetings to attend. It is open to men and women regardless of age.

We Make A Difference

“The Auxiliary at New Britain General has contributed countless hours and extraordinary talent to support the life-changing technologies and programs that put patients first at The Hospital of Central Connecticut.”

- Gary Havican, President of the Hartford HealthCare Central Region

We Are Dedicated To

Serving our healthcare community. The Auxiliary has distinguished itself as an integral part of the hospital with a rich history of providing ideas, financial support, and volunteers to complement all programs at THOCC. Our multi-million dollar fundraising efforts are responsible for contributions to major undertakings at the hospital, as listed (in part) below.

What We Do

• Distributed 185 poinsettias to all in-house patients at New Britain General.
• In recognition of 2022 National Nurses Week, the Auxiliary funded the purchase of 870 large canvas tote bags for all nurses at the New Britain General Campus and The Cancer Institute.
• Donated over 1,000 boxed lunches to all hospital staff to recognize the crucial work of our frontline colleagues during the pandemic.
• Donated $25,000 to the HOCC COVID-19 Fund.
• Donated $1 million to the Hartford Healthcare Cancer Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut.

• Donated to the hospital’s Department of Education to assist nurses seeking professional and advanced certification or recertification.

The Auxiliary at New Britain General also donates monies to the hospital earmarked for specific equipment, as requested by different departments. These include (but are not limited to):

• Monies for purchase of 55 Staxi Medical Transport Chairs ($103,000) for the New Britain General Campus and the Cancer Institute.
• Monies for purchase of 18 NIC-VIEW cameras for the Family BirthPlace which allows families the ability to interact with hospitalized newborns in the NICU.
• Monies for the creation of the Hybrid Operating Room ($80,000).
• Monies for equipment for the newly constructed Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit ($55,000).
• Monies for new diagnostic equipment for the Family BirthPlace ($60,000).
• Donated nearly 300 newborn and preemie PJ's for the Family BirthPlace.

• Partnered with “Read to Grow Program” by providing free books to all NICU and Family Birthplace babies to encourage early childhood literacy

What We Offer

The Auxiliary at New Britain General offers much to the members of this organization.

Fellowship: Through social events, the gift shop, and fundraising events, you will enjoy the camaraderie of the Auxiliary members. Working as a group toward a common goal, whether focusing on a fundraiser or deciding on gifts (monetary or equipment), this group works together cooperatively to attain our stated goal.

Networking: Through volunteering and/or attending meetings, you will have an opportunity to meet new people and socialize with friends and hospital staff.

Education: Through diverse presentations at in-house seminars by the hospital staff and by being on the Auxiliary, you will be made aware of event and speaker information available to you. This, along with volunteering at the hospital, will acquaint you with the inner workings of the hospital and healthcare at large. Various healthcare offerings are also available to you, such as flu shots and some vaccinations.

Publications

• HHC This Week provides updates and news of all Hartford Healthcare Institutions.
• The Department of Philanthropy’s Giving Thanks newsletter features the generosity of its donors and how their efforts benefit the hospitals of the Central Region.
• NewsBreak Central is a weekly hospital publication for the Central Region which shares local hospital news, activities, and updates. 
• Volunteer News is a Central Region newsletter that highlights various volunteer assignments and activities as well as acknowledging the commitment of so many dedicated individuals.

Membership Application Forms

• New Britain Campus
• Bradley Memorial Campus

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The Auxiliary at New Britain General Advisory Board Members

President – Annette Salina
Vice-President Membership – Elizabeth Schreiner
Recording Secretary – Sadia Hoxha
Corresponding Secretary – Maureen Carlson
Treasurer – Paul Salina
Treasurer Gift Shops – Anastasia Rulkowski

Directors

• Barbara Andrews
• Patricia Bedard
• Louise Belkin
• Nancy Caveliere
• Roberta Chant
• Dorothy DiLernia
• Hibeh Dilzer
• Julie Dyson
• Judy Garro
• Anthony Labato
• Rose Mary Luddy
• Patricia Maerz
• Carin Mancini
• Lindy Martin
• Gail Millerick
• Laura Napoletano
• David Obedzinski
• Karen Pagliaro
• Sylvia Rulkowski
• Sandra Story

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New Britain General Campus Auxiliary

The New Britain General Campus Auxiliary meets the second Tuesday of every month and holds its annual meeting in November (no summer meetings).

The New Britain Auxiliary has adopted a Strategic Plan that provides a road map for our goals and development. We have established the following committees: Image, Website Development, Education, Membership and Presidents' Council.

Bradley Memorial Campus Auxiliary

The Bradley Memorial campus Auxiliary board of directors meets the second Monday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Bradley Memorial Campus, conference room A.

Joint Meeting

The Executive Boards of the New Britain General and Bradley Memorial Auxiliaries meet together once annually.

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The HOCC Auxiliary at New Britain Scholorship Program (for students residing in Berlin, Kensington, New Britain, Newington, Plainville or Southington)

The Auxiliary at New Britain General recently awarded five $1,000 scholarships to area students:

HOCC AUXILIARY AT NEW BRITAIN GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP #1
Awarded to New Britain High School student, Yousef Alwan, who will be attending UCONN to major in the Medical Field

HOCC AUXILIARY AT NEW BRITAIN GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP #2
Awarded to St. Paul’s student, Teresa Strasser, who will be attending the University of Vermont to major in Food Science/Nutrition

JULIA A. LAGASSE SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to Berlin High School student, Julia Greenwood, who will be attending Springfield College in the Physician’s Assistant Program

ROSE LEFEMINE SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to New Britain High School student, Vanessa Perez, who will be attending CCSU to major in Pediatric Nursing

ROBERT STORY SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to New Britain High School student, Karina Diaz-Doran, who will be attending the University of Hartford to major in Nursing

Download an application

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The Auxiliary at New Britain General manages and finances two gift shops: The Wishing Well at New Britain General and Simple Comforts at the Cancer Institute of the Hospital of Central Connecticut. The Auxiliary is proud to direct the shops’ proceeds to support the New Britain General Campus and the Cancer Institute.

Both shops offer a variety of items for patients and visitors. Fresh and artificial flowers, candy, balloons, cards, and gifts are always available. New items are added continuously during the different seasons and around the holidays. Examples of items stocked in our gift shops – The Wishing Well at New Britain General and Simple Comforts at the Cancer Institute – are as follows:

Jewelry

• Designer costume jewelry featuring John Michael Richardson
• Watches
• Earrings - including Silver Forest
• Bracelets
• Necklaces

Gifts

• Willow Tree
• Stuffed animals, toys, dolls
• Wall and table accent items
• Baby gifts
• Books and magazines
• Sunglasses and reading and magnifying glasses

Accessories

• Scarves, hats, mittens, & gloves (seasonal)
• Dresses and tops - featuring Magic Scarf
• Slippers
• Handbags from Joy Susan, Myra and Signare

Cosmetics

• Camille Beckman
• Naked Bee

Locations

The Wishing Well Auxiliary Gift Shop at New Britain General Campus
860.224.5260
Mon & Fri: 10am to 3pm
Tue, Wed, Thu: 10am to 7pm
Every other Sat & Sun: 10am to 2pm
*Please note-hours may be subject to change
Free Parking

Simple Comforts Gift Shop at Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut
860.696.4910
Mon – Fri: 10am to 4pm
Free Parking

The Auxiliary is proud to donate funds from the gift shops’ proceeds to support the programs, services and areas of greatest need at the New Britain General Campus and the Cancer Institute.

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Sweetheart Gift Card Raffle 

NEW FUNDRAISER A HUGE SUCCESS!
$20 entered recipients into a daily drawing for 30 days (Feb. 1-March 2). Each day featured gift cards valued at $100 to $350. Names that were drawn then went back into the pot for a chance to win every day. The net proceeds of more than $10,000 will help fund department requests received throughout the year.

32nd Annual Auxiliary Golf Tournament

The HOCC Auxiliary at New Britain General held its 32nd Annual Golf Tournament on June 7. Led by Chair, Carin Mancini and Co-Chair, Dottie DiLernia, this year’s event saw its largest number of participants in many years. 146 golfers took to the links, and the net proceeds of $62,000 will benefit the newly verified Level III Trauma Center at the New Britain General Campus.

Save the Date! 2023 AUXILIARY GALA

Saturday, November 4, 2023
Aqua Turf Club
556 Mulberry Street, Plantsville, CT
5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
New and exciting features – more information to come!!

Questions?
Contact the Auxiliary at New Britain General: 860.224.5502

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