Community Hospital-Fairfax has Good Friends and Great Support in its Auxiliary

 If you ask Gerry Tohill of Tarkio why she chose to spend close to 200 hours volunteering for the Auxiliary and Community Hospital-Fairfax this year, she’d give you a long list of reasons.

“Mainly, I chose be an Auxiliary volunteer because I wanted to meet new people, but it has become much more than that. It gives me a great outlet to help others and there is a lot of satisfaction in helping somebody else and giving back to your community,” Gerry said.

Auxiliary members visit during the 2013 Auxiliary Appreciation Luncheon,
 held on July 18, 2013 .

The Annual Auxiliary Luncheon, hosted by the hospital, honors
our wonderful volunteers.

Gerry’s opportunity to help patients while working at the gift shop is something she looks forward to as well.

“We know the staff and we can help direct patients if they need help. Plus, I like the feeling that we are a connection between the public and the hospital. I love to answer questions for people if I can help,” Gerry said.

Gerry’s fellow Auxiliary member, Ann Martin, shares a lot of the same sentiments.

 Ann, who was named the 2013 Auxiliain of the Year and has served as committee Treasurer for many years, says that fundraising for the hospital is rewarding as a volunteer, but as a patient as well.

“Both my husband and I have benefited from equipment the Auxiliary has helped to purchase. I am proud to be a part of that and I am proud of our hospital for serving our community in so many ways.

Ann Martin accepts her award.

In the past 3 years, the Auxiliary has given over $35,000 towards medical equipment for the hospital, including a cystoscope for the Urology Clinic, equipment for the OB/GYN clinic, new exam tables and they also donated money towards a digital mammogram machine in 2011. The Auxiliary also awards scholarships to students in healthcare programs and runs the hospital’s Sunshine Corner Gift Shop. On Thursday, September 19^th, the Auxiliary will be hosting a “Bring a Friend” meeting, which would be the perfect time to learn more about joining this worthwhile organization. For more information about the Community Hospital-Fairfax Auxiliary call the hospital at (660) 686-2330 or visit www. FairfaxMed.com