Barbara Culbertson, president of the Allen County Hospital Auxiliary, has put out a call for volunteers.
“We have 16 active members,” Culbertson said. “But, several are limited in what they can do.” A recent decline in membership may be laid to attrition, or, she allowed, a nice way of saying, “Some of us are getting older.”
Operating the gift shop — open 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays and Sunday afternoons — is the most visible activity of the auxiliary. Members also are involved in some office tasks at the hospital and assist during periodic visits of the bloodmobile.
“We escort people who attend the wound clinic; help with the pain management clinic; and help patients with dismissals after outpatient and eye surgeries,” Culbertson said.
Members have fundraisers, with proceeds supporting four $500 scholarships given annually.
Income at the gift shop mainly is plowed back into merchandise, and occasionally profits — there were some last year — pick up shortages in the scholarship fund.
“We have a very nice gift shop,” which is open to anyone not just patients and hospital visitors, Culbertson noted.
Toy bears, jewelry, handcrafted puzzles and handmade gifts fill a central display area. The shop also has greeting cards, baby items, balloons, and a variety of gifts. In a nearby cooler are fresh flowers. The auxiliary earns a commission on the flowers, carried to the hospital several times a week from Duane’s Flowers in downtown Iola.
Being an auxiliary member “doesn’t pay anything and it’s a big job, but it is enjoyable work,” said Culbertson, the hospital’s Volunteer of the Year for 2011. “And, when you work there’s free lunch in the hospital cafeteria.
Annual dues are a meager $4. Membership is not for women, only.
“We don’t have any men in the group,” Culbertson said. “There’s no reason why they couldn’t help out, too, and maybe even be better” with chores that require heavy lifting.
For more information call the hospital at 365-1000.
Hospital auxiliary in need of assistance
