TURLOCK — Fundraising volunteers turned in $180,621 in pledges at twin Thursday mixers for Legacy Circle, the giving arm of Emanuel Medical Center.

More than 250 volunteers, split between employees and community members, have committed to the six-week campaign to raise $1.2 million toward the $6.5 million Emanuel Critical Care Center.
     
“I feel confident,” said Shirley Pok, Vice President of Development, about the first week’s results.  “We’re off to a great start.”

Pok attributed the big opening to volunteers like George and Zella Linn.  The Turlock couple, 81 and 82, respectively, turned in $8,600 of pledges at the evening mixer.

“We just love it,” said Zella Linn about the Legacy Circle campaign.  “We’ve always loved anything to do with the hospital.”

She worked at Emanuel as an operating room attendant for 20 years before retiring in 1989.  George Linn had a 36-year career as a lab tech for a local group of doctors located across from the hospital.

The Linns, Legacy Circle veterans in their sixth annual campaign, and the community volunteers totaled $116,554 for the first week.  The hospital’s employees contributed $64,067 of pledges their first week.

Turlocker Martha Alvarez, 27 and a certified nursing assistant, turned in $1,428 in pledges at the afternoon ice cream mixer.

“This is my first year being a volunteer,” she said.  “I thought that by being a volunteer I could help more, recruit more people and raise more money.  Plus, it’s fun.”

Margie Catone, a RN charge nurse on the surgical floor, had 13 pledges worth $1,990.  The Turlock resident said there is more to come.

“My surgeons are going to be my ace in the hole,” said Catone.  “This is just my start.”

Alvarez and Catone are inspired by the nearly completed three-story Critical Care Center every time they go to work. It’s even inspired Zella Linn.

“I wish I was 50 years younger so I could work there,” said Zella Linn.  “The next best thing to working in the new facility is to be part of it through our financial support.”

For more information about the 2006 Legacy Circle campaign or to donate to this years Fund Drive, please call the Office of Development at Emanuel, (209) 664-5180.

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