Volunteer Spotlight: Ann Gallagher receives ROSA Award

When you think about a miracle, you probably imagine a child waking up one day cancer free or a mom lifting a car off her infant. Most of us experience little miracles that mean everything at the time, but are quickly forgotten in the hustle-bustle of everyday life. Imagine having a beautiful, newborn baby . . . but you can’t afford to buy a new car seat to take them home from the hospital. Sometimes, something as simple as a car seat makes all the difference in the life of a patient and their family.

Since we opened our doors in 2000, Trinity Free Clinic has become a place where a lot of special people come together to create little miracles that give hope to our patients. One of our long-time angels delivering those miracles one car seat at a time is Ann Gallagher. Nearly 20 years ago, Ann created the Car Safety Seat Program that allowed Trinity Free Clinic to partner with the Carmel Police Department to provide brand new car seats to families in need and have them properly installed by a certified child safety seat technician.

Ann didn’t just start the program and walk away, though. She orders the seats, maintains the inventory, works with volunteers to get them unpacked, and coordinates the volunteer installers on her own time. The first Saturday of the month, every month, you will find Ann installing car seats and personally making sure that Hamilton County’s most vulnerable children will be safe no matter where they go.

Community partners like Franciscan Health and the Carmel Rotary Club have committed to funding the program over the years, but it has always been Ann who has made it happen. In June, the Carmel Rotary Club recognized Ann with its Rotary Outstanding Service Award for her dedication. There really isn’t any way to adequately thank someone for 20 years of Saturdays (and countless weekdays too!) selflessly given, but we are deeply grateful for Ann’s dedication and gift of self. Congratulations on this honor.