2019/2020 OFFICERS – Jean Zembower, Corresponding Secretary; Nancy Bradshaw, Recording Secretary; Rebecca Waters, Treasurer; Willis Woodall, Second Vice President; Linda McNabb, First Vice President; Kenneth Pitts, President

VCU Health CMH Auxiliary Annual Awards Banquet

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 151 members, these dedicated volunteers donated 18,672 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, Ruth Reams, reported on their accomplishments for the past year and presented Hospital CEO, W. Scott Burnette with a $40,000 check.

“When I think about the Auxiliary, I think of what they mean to the hospital and our patients and their families,” Ken Kurz, Director of Marketing & Development at CMH, said. “They have been incredibly generous through the years. Their latest pledge payment of $40,000 pushes their total monetary giving to $1.68 million since 1954! But they mean so much more. They have donated hundreds of thousands of hours in their 65 year history to benefit Community Memorial Hospital, our staff, our patients and their families and the community as a whole. We could not do what we do without their unwavering support.”

Incoming president Kenneth Pitts during his speech emphasized how much teamwork was needed to successfully be an Auxiliary volunteer with the hospital.

“We are here for the community and not for ourselves,” Pitts said, “Volunteering requires not wanting for yourself but wanting to do for others.  When I was interviewed for a volunteer, I was asked, ‘Why do you want to volunteer?’  My reply goes back to the number one team I want to be on – I stated that I am a Christian and I feel God would want me to give back to others.”

At the banquet, new officers were installed and members were awarded pins and certificates for the number of hours of service to the Hospital.

LOIS WHITE, LOU SAUNDERS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE RECIPIENT

On behalf of the Auxiliary, Linda McNabb, left, is pictured presenting the award to Lois, right. Lois is a past President of the CMH Auxiliary and she currently serves on the Auxiliary Board as Fundraisers Co-Chairperson and Gift Shop Payroll Deduction Examiner. She also volunteers in the Gift Shop.

NEW MEMBERS – Mary Ann Beck, Karen King, Geraldine Hite and Valentina Rugeles; NOT PICTURED: Terri Lee

3,700 – 14,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS OF SERVICE – Front Row: Anne Cole, 8,400; Ann Gauchat, 6,500; Ruth Reams, 5,000; Joyce Tudor, 5,500; Sandra Gainer, 7,500’ Back Row: June Meyer, 13,300, Virginia Lucy, 11,500; Charlene Gray, 9,000; Lois White,8,500, Sylvia Lambert, 14,000; NOT PICTURED: Deborah Wilson, 3,700; Leanna Jones, 4,400; Gerry Nash, 6,500; Delphine Harris, 6,700

400 and 2,000 – 3,500 VOLUNTEER HOURS OF SERVICE – Front Row: Darleen Ferguson, 400; Nancy Bradshaw, 2,500; Hattie Baird, 3,500; Rebecca Waters, 3,000’ Sylvia Solari, 3,000; Back Row: Dottie Collins, 3,500; Sharon Watson, 2,000; Kenneth Pitts, 2,000; Roger Pendergrass, 3,500; Mary Carter, 2,000; Larry Minter, 2,000; Edna Jones, 2,700; Jean Zembower, 2,000; NOT PICTURED: Pat Adams, 2,000; Dorothy Williams, 3,000

1,000 – 1,900 VOLUNTEER HOURS OF SERVICE – Front Row: Janet Morris, 1,800; Brenda Cahoon, 1,000; Jean Overman, 1,900; Doris Turner, 1,000; Gladys Jenerette, 1,300; Back Row: Ruth Griggs, 1,000; Linda McNabb, 1,500; NOT PICTURED: Judith Moody, 1,000; Margaret Waller, 1,000; Brenda Curtis, 1,300

400 – 900 VOLUNTEER HOURS OF SERVICE – Front Row: Linda Gage, 900; Suzanne Creek, 800; Sharon Carter, 700; Barbara Heagren, 900; Billie Wells, 900; Back Row: Willis Woodall, 700; Dick Smith, 900; Tom Watters, 600; NOT PICTURED: Darleen Ferguson, 400; Fran Steiert, 400; Sadie Simmons, 900

100 – 300 VOLUNTEER HOURS OF SERVICE – Front Row: Karen King, 100; Lillian Atkinson, 200; Sandra Burch, 200; Fannie Echard, 200; Dorothy Minter-Saunders, 200;  Back Row: Sandy Mechalske, 300; Clare Williams, 300; Carolyn Wagoner, 300; NOT PICTURED: Trevor Kidd, 100; Tammy Oakes, 100; Mable Wood, 100; Keith Ellis, 200; Jean Houston, 300