The 47th Annual West River Health Services Foundation’s “Perennial Plant Sale” was a rousing success once again this past Friday, May 17th, at the West River Ambulance Garage in Hettinger. Those West River Auxiliary ladies knew how to create a successful fundraising event starting back in the late 1970s! Nearly five years ago when the WRHS Auxiliary disbanded, the WRHS Foundation thought we couldn’t let this tradition die and took this event on. This go round, twenty-eight people donated over fifty different varieties of almost 1,000 plants, including over 500 strawberry plants from Mike & Sandy Marion! We had more house plants and rhubarb this year and more strawberry plants. Of those 28 givers, 17 were current or former hospital employees.
The format was the same as it has been for 47 years now -- take what you want, give what you can! At the end of the day, via goodwill donations, $2,024 was raised for the “Auxiliary Legacy Scholarship,” a scholarship for an area high school senior pursuing a medical-related college degree. This year’s recipient was Reagen Coyle, a Bowman High School graduate going into Sonography at Bismarck State.
Barb West and Jennifer Seamands, lifetime WRHS Auxiliary members, again spearheaded this effort; with extra hands for potting, planting, retailing, and marketing help from Leah Gunther, DeNae Henderson, Angela Hughes, Doris Hoke, Barb Stadheim, and Jodi Anderson. Eva Knutson and Barb Luger accepted the numerous goodwill donations at the door. Jeb Boxrud and Todd Skaarvold made sure the old, super-heavy tables were set up to display all of the amazing plants and then took them down after the event. Bill at the Ambulance Garage made sure the Ambulance rigs were movedoutside, but still ready 24/7 for a call. Beth Erickson and Jodi Anderson pitched in with Facebook posts and feeds. Cindy Ham designed the poster, which was all over town!
It’s amazing what can happen when people pull together for a good cause. “Thank you” to all of the givers of plants – you know who you are -- without you and your plants, we have no sale. And thank you to all of the purchasers. We hope you found the perennials you wanted and that your gardens are now more robust and beautiful. We are grateful for your donation. Onward! Ted Uecker, FDO