St. Lukes Hospital officials say they were very surprised when Santa arrived early, under the disguise of their Auxiliary.

Each year, St. Lukes create s a Wish List, which is a list of items needed by all hospital departments, and the Auxiliary makes their wishes come true.

Recently, the Auxiliary donated more than $62,000 to St. Lukes for the purchase of equipment and other hospital needs.

This years Wish List included two carbon dioxide monitors for the Intensive Care Unit, an electric steam table for the Dietary Department, a plasma thawing system for the Lab, four beds with safety alarms for patients of the Center of Behavioral Medicine and an Omniexplorer companion for the Omnicell medication dispensing equipment for the Pharmacy.

The Auxiliary is also responsible for the donation of Pocket Critters to the Emergency Department. A child who comes to St. Lukes Hospital Emergency Department with an injury receives a special friend, or Pocket Critter. These Pocket Critters can be heated to warm cold hands or chilled to provide relief to any bump, bruise or scratch. They are made of a soft fabric and are filled with a sweet dream blend of flaxseed, chamomile, lavender and a hint of orange.

There are several ways in which the Auxiliary raises money.&bsp; Proceeds from both the St. Lukes Thrift Shop and the Hospital Gift Shop are given to St. Lukes, as are personal donations from volunteers themselves. &bsp;

The generosity from the community makes this possible, says Virginia Clark, Treasurer of the Auxiliary. Without the donations to the Thrift Shop, we would not be able to operate. Any donation is greatly appreciated, and the proceeds from all sales go to our local hospital that we all need.

The money the Auxiliary raises goes toward equipment and furnishings on the Hospitals Capital Equipment Request List, a list of items needed by all Hospital departments.