Coins dropped into the fountain near the Lundquist Emergency Department at Torrance Memorial Medical Center are collected once a month, cleaned and provided to the Volunteer Auxiliary to support patient services such as pet visitations, clown visits, piano playing and knitting/sewing services, according to Torrance Memorial's Volunteer Services Department. The Torrance Memorial Volunteer Auxiliary's more than 800 volunteers serve the patients, visitors and staff of the hospital by escorting patients in wheelchairs, playing piano, running errands, and operating the all- volunteer-run gift shop, according to the department.
In addition, the auxiliary holds several fundraisers throughout the year. All funds raised by the auxiliary support Torrance Memorial programs, which have included the new main tower and the expansion of the Emergency Department, among others, according to the department.
In 2009, the auxiliary donated $212,000, which included the coins tossed into the fountain. Coins thrown into the fountain amounted to $294 in 2008 and were included in the auxiliary's check presentation made in January to the Torrance Memorial Health Care Foundation, according to the department.
Surce: dailybreeze.com
