If you’ve ever been inside a hospital—as a patient, family member, or friend—you’ve probably been assisted by an Auxilian. Perhaps he or she helped you make a selection in the gift shop . . . or gave you directions to a patient’s room . . .  or comforted you as you waited to hear the outcome of a loved one’s surgery. 

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital in South Hill is fortunate to have the wonderful support of a large team of volunteers through the Hospital's Auxiliary.  VCU Health CMH volunteers provide service, support and good cheer for patients, visitors and staff, and help complete the hospital community.

Perhaps in no other industry is volunteering more vital than in health care.  Each year, these dedicated volunteers make valuable contributions to VCU Health CMH through countless hours of service to patients and the hospital with donations that strengthen health care services for the community. 

The Auxiliary's mission is to advance the welfare of the hospital.  With a membership of 159 members, these dedicated volunteers donated 22,671 hours of service to patients and the hospital over the past year.  

The Auxiliary holds fund-raisers throughout the year to help support its programs and services. Their main source of funds is from the “Fish Bowl” Gift Shop.  Each year, the Auxiliary makes a generous donation to the Hospital on behalf of its fundraising efforts. During their Annual Awards Luncheon held recently, outgoing Auxiliary President, Rebecca Waters, reported on their accomplishments for the past year and presented Hospital CEO, W. Scott Burnette with a $40,000 check. This donation is the second installment of the Auxiliary’s $225,000 pledge to VCU Health CMH’s recent capital campaign.  

During the banquet, new officers were installed and members were awarded pins and certificates for the number of hours of service to the Hospital. Also the special “Lou Saunders Award of Excellence” was given.

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary 2017/2018 Officers – Ruth Reams, First Vice President; Kenny Pitts, Second Vice President; Nancy Bradshaw, President; Jean Zembower, Corresponding Secretary; Charlene Gray, Treasurer, and Deborah Wilson, Recording Secretary

Rachel Crowder (standing) was recognized as having the most hours of any Auxilian with her donation of 17,500 hours.

Sylvia Lambert (left), Membership Chairperson, was awarded the Lou Saunders Award of Excellence, the Auxiliary’s highest honor by Nancy Bradshaw, new Auxiliary President. The Lou Saunders award was established in 2010 and named after longtime CMH Auxiliary volunteer, Lou Saunders. Mrs. Lambert has donated more than 13,000 hours of service to CMH. She is one of only two members during its sixty-three year history and the only current member to serve two terms as CMH Auxiliary president from 1971 to 1975 and 1998 to 1999. Her membership totals 30 years.

6,800 – 17,500 HOURS OF SERVICE Front Row: Virginia Lucy, 10,500; Rachel Crowder, 17,500; June Meyer, 12,500; Back Row: Sandra Gainer, 6,800; Charlotte Clark, 10,000; Charlene Gray, 8,000’ Lois White, 7,500, Anne Cole, 8,000; Sylvia Lambert, 13,000; NOT PICTURED: Shirley Carrillo, 10,300

3,500 – 6,000 HOURS OF SERVICE Front Row: Ruth Reams, 4,300; Brigitte Eberle, 4,400; Ann Gauchat, 5,800; Back Row: Lois Reed, 3,500; Barbara Fife, 3,500; Joyce Tudor, 5,000; Edna Jones, 2,400; Shirley Huested, 5,500; Marlene Reinders, 4,000; NOT PICTURED: Leanna Jones, 4,000; Brenda Roberts, 5,300; Gerry Nash, 6,000

2,000 – 3,000 HOURS OF SERVICE Front Row: Hattie Baird, 3,000; Cherrill Robertson, 2,700; Katie Snead, 2,500; Back Row: Barbara Royal, 2,000; Dottie Collins, 2,400; Dorothy Williams, 2,800; Roger Pendergrass, 2,900; Deborah Wilson, 2,500; Belle Braswell, 2,500; Rebecca Waters, 2,000; NOT PICTURED: Sylvia Solari, 2,500; “Geri” Cecile Soden, 2,600

1,000 – 1,800 HOURS OF SERVICE Front Row: Carmen Cornely-Clarke, 1,000; Ann Allman, 1,800; Linda Reams, 1,500; Back Row: Nancy Bradshaw, 1,500; Mary Carter, 1,000; Gladys Jenerette, 1,000; Ann Jones, 1,000; Larry Minter, 1,500; Sharon Watson, 1,000; Jean Zembower, 1,400; NOT PICTURED: Mary Werber, 1,000; Janet Morris, 1,400; Jean Overman, 1,800

500 – 900 HOURS OF SERVICE Front Row: Barbara Heagren, 500; Linda McNabb, 500; Sadie Simmons, 700; Back Row: Doris Turner, 700, Brenda Curtis, 800; Kenneth Pitts, 500; Pat Adams, 900; Vicky Walker, 500; Ruth Griggs, 500; NOT PICTURED: Judith Moody, 600; Regina Warmouth, 900

100 – 400 HOURS OF SERVICE Front Row: Brenda Cahoon, 300; Linda Gage, 100; Billie Wells, 400; Back Row: Phyllis Beasley, 100; Dick Smith, 300; Suzanne Creek, 200; David Hoffman, 400; Fran Steiert, 200; Sharon Carter, 200; NOT PICTURED: Bill Arison, 100; Patricia Harding, 200; Damon Hickson, 200; Margaret Waller, 400