Mount Auburn Hospital receives $450k donation from auxiliary group

Photo courtesy of Mount Auburn Hospital

Donna Smerlas, auxiliary president, and Jeanette Clough, president and CEO of Mount Auburn Hospital, with the $450,000 donation check.

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

The Mount Auburn Hospital Auxiliary, which works in partnership with the Cambridge- and Watertown-based hospital, has presented the organization with a $450,000 check this week, funded by the auxiliary's fundraising efforts this year.

The money will help hospital officials convert all patient bedrooms into private rooms, according to hospital representatives.

“The members of the auxiliary are unsung heroes that support a number of fundraising initiatives that benefit the hospital,” said Jeanette Clough, president and CEO of Mount Auburn Hospital.

The auxiliary generates its charitable income from a variety of sources, including sales at the gift shop, raffles, and a number of events throughout the year, including the organization's annual tree lighting ceremony, and a spring luncheon/fashion show.

The ninth annual tree lighting ceremony will take place this year on Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. The auxiliary sells tree lights for $10, and raises roughly $10,000 each year for the hospital from this event.

“Each light on the tree represents gifts made by donors in honor or memory of loved ones," said Donna Smerlas, auxiliary president and long-time Watertown resident. "More than 300 donors contribute over $10,000 yearly in support for Mount Auburn Hospital."

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Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jaclyn.reiss@globe.com