The Shore Medical Center Auxiliary marked another successful fundraising year, making a  $350,530 donation to Shore Medical Center’s Board of Trustees Chairman Jay Gillian on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point, NJ.

The Auxiliary is the medical center’s original fundraising organization, with a legacy dating back to Shore’s founding in 1940. A busy 2011 saw the Auxiliary grow by 27 members, and was highlighted by its Gift Shop’s relocation to the lobby of Shore’s state-of-the-art Surgical Pavilion.

Other Auxiliary programs and events include the operation of Thrift Shops in Somers Point and Marmora, NJ, the annual D. Allen Stretch Golf Tournament, a women’s golf tournament, the Carole Schiavo Kids Swim, Thrift Shop Fashion Show and annual Tree of Lights holiday tree lighting.

During Tuesday’s event, Delores Dengler-Vitas, of Petersburg, NJ, was given the New Jersey Hospital Association’s Rookie of the Year Award for her tireless efforts on behalf of the Auxiliary, which include serving as Membership Chair of the executive board and volunteering in the Marmora Thrift Shop. Also honored was Michelle Ginieczki, of Longport, NJ, who originated the Carole Schiavo Kids Swim 30 years ago.

The donation is part of the Auxiliary’s $2.5 million pledge to the Shore Tomorrow campaign, which helped fund the construction of Shore’s state-of-the-art Surgical Pavilion and Campus Expansion, the largest in the medical center’s 70-plus year history. Over the last 40 years, the Auxiliary has contributed more than $10 million in support of Shore.

For information or to join the Shore Medical Center Auxiliary, call 609-653-4646.

Pictured above: Shore Medical Center Auxiliary Chairman Susan Biscieglia, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, presented Board Chairman Jay Gillian, of Ocean City, NJ, with the Auxiliary’s 2011 donation of $350,530 on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point, NJ.