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SRMC Auxiliary decades of giving comes to a close

By Submitted material 4 min read

Over the past 87 years, the Salem Regional Medical Center (SRMC) Auxiliary has supported SRMC through its volunteer activities and fundraising efforts to benefit the hospital's patients. Sadly, like many auxiliary organizations across the country, the SRMC Auxiliary's long history of services has come to a close due to fewer members, aging volunteers and more people choosing to enter the workforce.

A Rich History

On January 25, 1934, thirteen women attended the first Auxiliary meeting and brought their needles and thimbles to sew surgical dressings, towels, curtains and dresser scarves for the hospital. Beyond sewing, the Auxiliary later added a "Sunshine Committee" to collect and distribute magazines to patients.

Fundraising was not an important priority during the first year and the group finished 1934 with 12 dollars in the treasury. However, members were soon making plans to raise funds to buy support items for the hospital that would provide comfort to patients and enhance the staff's ability to care for them.

In 1938, the hospital's Gift Shop was founded by Auxiliary member Caroline Lehwald, as an ongoing source of fundraising. In the decades to follow, the group dedicated thousands of volunteer hours hosting countless projects and fundraising events, from candy sales and destination raffles to an annual holiday tree decorating contest and auction. Other activities included a Gardenia Ball, Celebration of Lights and Commemorative Brick Sale for the hospital's Garden of Tribute.

The End of an Era

At its peak, the Auxiliary had over 100 members raising funds on behalf of the hospital. However, like many other volunteer organizations across the U.S., SRMC's Auxiliary has seen its membership continue to dwindle in spite of annual membership drives. The difficult decision to dissolve the Auxiliary as of January 21, 2021, came as a result of having too few members to fulfill its mission, staff leadership positions and sustain fundraising activities.

"While it's the end of an era, I am grateful for the many wonderful memories and women I've worked with over the years," said former Auxiliary President Joyce Bott. "It's been a privilege to support our local hospital and make a difference for the thousands of patients who have come through our hospital's doors for care."

Former Auxiliary Vice President Ardyth Sommers added, "I joined the Auxiliary because I wanted to be part of an organization that gave back to the community. I'm honored to have been a member and served in leadership roles for this special organization."

Making a Difference

Proceeds from the Auxiliary's fundraising efforts have supported the hospital in the form of annual gifts for the purchase of new medical equipment, technology and furnishings. Over its lifetime, the Auxiliary

has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of patient care items, such as a patient call system, hospital beds and stretchers, Project HELLO's emergency response units, and equipment for almost every patient care department in the hospital.

The Auxiliary's last donation to SRMC in 2020 provided five new wheelchairs for the hospital's Emergency Department, and the group also made a gift to the SRMC Foundation's COVID-19 Relief Fund supporting the hospital's ongoing pandemic preparedness activities.

Gifts of Service

Some former members of the Auxiliary will continue to serve at SRMC within the hospital's Volunteer Program, which includes the Look Nook Gift Shop.

"Our Auxiliary has made a difference in the lives of generations of patients and their families through their gifts of service, and we'll always remember and be grateful for everything they have done for the hospital," said Amy Reed, SRMC Director of Development and liaison to the Auxiliary. "I'm thankful that I will continue to have the opportunity to work with some of the Auxiliary members, who are continuing on as volunteers at the hospital."

Dr. Anita Hackstedde, SRMC's President/CEO, also expressed her gratitude for the Auxiliary's long tradition of service to the hospital.

"The Auxiliary has played an instrumental role in the growth and advancement of our hospital throughout the past 87 years," she said. "We extend our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to this devoted group of volunteers for their many decades of support, and we thank them for being such a special part of our hospital's story."

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