By Daily Press staff
There’s a new president in town. Pacific Palisades resident Fran Flanagan has been elected president of the Irene Dunne Guild, a major support group of Saint John’s Health Center. Among its many volunteer projects, the guild hosts Saint John’s Caritas Gala, an annual fundraiser that recently raised more than $1 million for the health center when actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were honored with the Caritas Award at this year’s event.
Other guild officers installed are Judy Piro, vice president; Dolly Niemann, treasurer; Sharon Wilson, recording secretary; and Cammie Hall, corresponding secretary. Niemann and Wilson are longtime residents of Pacific Palisades. Piro resides in Brentwood, and Hall is a Santa Monica resident.
The Irene Dunne Guild has supported Saint John’s since 1987. Inspired by the charitable example of film legend Irene Dunne, the guild boasts a membership of 75 women who focus their volunteer efforts on providing vital services and programs enabling Saint John’s continued commitment to the community of providing excellence in health care.
In partnership with Saint John’s Health Center Foundation, the guild has raised critical funds for the health center through the annual Caritas Gala, including $1 million to build the Irene Dunne Guild Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Maria Shriver Nursery in Saint John’s north pavilion and $1 million to support Saint John’s emergency department.
Funds raised at the 12th Annual Caritas Gala, which was held in October 2005, will support vital services and programs at Saint John’s. The guild also conducts an annual patron drive for special projects, such as Saint John’s new mobile blood center.
In addition, guild members participate in educational meetings, collect books and magazines for Saint John’s libraries, and volunteer in the nationally acclaimed Angels of the ER program. In collaboration with Saint John’s volunteer department, the angels provide a communication link between medical personnel, patients and their families. Big Red Bucket food drive feeds the needy
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 21, 2005. Read the original PDF.