For the first time since it began in 1957, the St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary Ice Cream Social & Bazaar has been canceled.
The event - normally held in June but postponed this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic - is being canceled because of concerns about the ongoing pandemic, according to a news release.
The event is one of the most popular fundraisers annually for the auxiliary. It raises money for patient care services, purchases of medical equipment and technology and employee scholarships. In 2019, the auxiliary donated more than $100,000 to support scholarships and patient services, and it purchased the hospital's first UV light infection-control robot.
The auxiliary has started an online campaign instead. The "Fill the Ice Cream Cone" campaign is intended to continue to meet the needs of the hospital and its patients, according to the release.
To donate, visit stmarysfoundationjcmo.com and click on "Ice Cream Campaign."
The campaign's goal is to raise $15,000. Call 573-681-3742 for more information.