Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-07
WORK OF THE YEAR
What Has Been Done by the
u. q. A. Hospital.
ITS FINANCIAL CONDITION
The Seeretary's Report showing What
Has Been Done for Humanity.
Offcers Were Reelected.

held It's annual meeting IN Park Con-
gregational church last night with the
vice president, Mrs. Whitney. presiding.
The meeting at once proceeded To the
transaction Of business. Mrs. Charles
Berkey. the secretary, read her repor,
as follows:
We offer tonight for the co nsidera-
ton of the members and friends of the
Union Benevolent association q sum-
mary of its forty-second years work.
We're success always estimated from q
financial standpoint We might at times
be discouraged and count the work al
most . failure. But the men aud wo-
men who for so many years have given
most cheerfully and literally time, en-.
ergy and money IN His name Will bear
witness that this institution 10 success
In the truest meaning OF the word.
We have at present . membership OF
nearly $50. Aside from these are
many who are interested in the work
and give generously. Indeed when.
ever special need comes for help Ii any
way 1t seems necessary only to ask the
public and We receive.
During the year the board Of mana
gers. consisting of forty women, have
met the first Monday In every month,
with larger average attendance than
ever before, and much effective work
has been done by the different CON-
mlttees.
Work of the Women.
Members and friends of the associa-
ton have met Tuesday afternoons ex-
cept during July and August to sew
for the home and hospital. A number
of young women are Interested in this
work and Lave kindly given their time
assisting IN sewing or IN visiting, read
ing or singing to the aged and sick In
mates.
The old women of the home depart
ment have twice been entertained by
dinners given them by the housekeep.
ing committee, an attention much ap-
| precisted. In the home department
there are at present fourteen aged per-
sons--all but three entirely dependent
upon the institute for support, the
three partially go. We have given IN
direct charity lS7 weeks and SIX days
board. This in value at 81 q week,
which is . very moderate calculation,
would be $799 dollars. Two of the life
members have died during the year.
In the hospital department 337 pa.
| tents have been admitted. There have
been eighty-fve operations. twenty,
two births and twenty-fOur deaths. A
number of the deaths resulted from
long standing difficulties.
The Free BEDS.
Mrs. Bissell's free beds have been oc.
cupied twenty-four weeks, the Baptist
free bed seven weeks, Mrs. Carpenter
forty weeks and Mrs. Stanton's and
Mrs. Berkey's eight weeks. These free
beds have all been occupied more OF
the time, but by patients who could
pay little or the full amount.
The bed partially supported by the
Coo fund has been occupied the entire
year by an invalid teacher.
The training school has now eight
| cen nurses; seven were graduated last
May. Those who know anything OF
the work or have ever needed the SER
wees Of these nurses, must feel that
| this part of the work of the institution
can not be abandoned. Were this as
ISOLATION extending It's works no fur.
| ther than educating and fitting these
| young women to minister to our sick
and dying it would be worthy the sup
port OF the public.
During the year the principal of the
training school has had PSI calls fol-
nurses, and has only been able to sup
| ply forty-fve. These facts and fig
ures surely speak for themselves.
Earnings of the Nurses.
The nurses have earned outside
81 $3.50. In the hospital, as special
nurses, S255.50.
Mitch of this has been from patient.
who have paid us only in experience.
| The work Of this association has out
grown its present building, and some
time ago the crowded condition of the
hospital made imperative the need
| of more room.
Plans were drawn and soon liberia
contributions made possible the begin
ming of the annex now building. In i
will be a fine operating room, fully
equipped with all the latest improve
ments. an obstetrlcsl ward and q
hospital ward. The building through
out is being retitted with new heatIn,
apparatus and other Improvements ar,
being made that when completed vii
place this hospital on an equal footins
| Win dby III Wtskci IA
Thanks OF the Association.
The ASSOCIATION wish to thank all VIII,
| have IN any way aided their work; tn,
ministers who have visited the sick anC
! conducted sunday and funeral services
| the young persons having charge o
! singing at these times; women wis
have cheered the old persons by pleas
aut talks or kindly acts; friends VIII,
have comfor:sd and soothed the slcs
with sympathetic words, books, flowers
/ fruit or dellcacIes; the Street RAILWAY
, company for favors shown; the dali,
/ papers for liberalIty aud courtesy.
This has been but brief outline o
our years work. OF the trials and fail
! ures we will not speak, but begin tn
new year with hope. Grateful for al
! good accomplished. We need more hell
10 carry on the work. For the few th'
burden ia heavy. tor the many II woul,
/ be light. The WORK needs your hearts
your hands and your generous dona
/ irons.
Report of the Deputy Treasurer.
The report was accepted an
adopted, aud Mss Gertrude A. Ga,
followed With the deputy treasurer
report. The report was "a follows;
| r sceived for inmates bosri....--.--s 5.sts Z
| Received from city for beard --..--.-.-- l.770 !
I Received from couniY Tor board. ats
| Recelv sa from nurses services ..-- 1.s-8
soos
| Received from NJ. Car n. HOLSTER.