Pink Ladies hold annual fall luncheon

CROWLEY - The Pink Ladies of the American Legion Hospital of Crowley held their fall general meeting and luncheon at the Rice Palace in Crowley on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m.

The ladies were welcomed by the hospitality chairperson, Leora Amy, who took photos of the members as they entered and signed up for door prizes.

Gloria LeBlanc, president, called the meeting to order and had the chaplain, Lou Cormier, lead the Pink Lady pledge and prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Several announcements were made concerning the work done by the Pink Ladies. The volunteers were advised that October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that pink ribbons and mints will be given to hospital visitors as reminders.

Several pointers were given concerning serving trays, entering the rooms of patients, changing gloves, receiving flu and TB shots, serving coffee or food to out-patients and delivering newspapers.

Secretary Roberta Sonnier was called on to give the minutes of the last General Meeting, held in May of 2013. She reported that last year the Pink Ladies volunteered 5,071 hours and donated $11,300 to the hospital from gift shop and vending machine sales.

Sonnier then led a necrology service in memory of a former Pink Lady, Rose Trouille, who passed away recently. Trouille had served 2,086 hours before her retirement.

The guest speaker was Debbie Miller, administrator of the MD Home Health Network.

Miller presented a very interesting program concerning the advantages of using home health care. She stressed the fact that it keeps patients in their own homes, where they feel more secure, rather than their being sent to a nursing home. After referral by a licensed doctor, a person who is home-bound and unable to drive will receive assistance from skilled nurses, physical therapists and/or speech therapists.

The care is cheaper overall because Medicare or Medicaid pays all costs, and it has been found that people who receive this care are less likely to be hospitalized and are happier living in their own homes.

Miller donated some of the door prizes, and these were won by Lerdie Godeaux, Sephronia Prather and Babs Simon. Other prizes went to Nettie Romero and Cele Zaunbrecher.

The meeting was adjourned.

The Blessing before Meals was led by Cormier, and the meal was enjoyed by 35 members, along with Miller as their guest.