AUXILIARY

In 1955 a group of women volunteered to serve the new fledgling Tri-State Memorial Hospital in anyway possible.  This was the beginning of the Tri-State Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.  The group was originally formed of twelve separate guilds.  Each guild was named after members of the original Board of Directors of the hospital.  As with all organizations, many changes have taken place over the past 50 years.

Health care has changed the way volunteers are able to serve.  Yesteryear the Auxilians did the sewing, linens, and canned the foods and vegetables for the Dietary Department.  They also served as cooks.  The Blue Angel Auxiliary has always managed the hospital gift shop.  Today the purpose of the Auxiliary remains the same, to serve with a sincere interest and genuine desire for the good of Tri-State Memorial Hospital. But the duties are very different.

As the number of the Guilds began to dwindle the Guild format was revised.  Today Auxilians, both men and women, have joined together to form one Auxiliary.  The Blue Angels work in most departments of the hospital and as well as staffing the gift shop.

The Auxiliary has several fundraising activities each year.  A salad luncheon/style show is held each fall, Easter Basket and goodies, plant & book sale in the spring and a yard sale in June.  In addition, several bake sales are held throughout the year.  Additional fundraisers are held as the opportunity arises.

Monies generated from the fundraisers are used to purchase equipment or provide for special needs for the hospital.  The auxiliary also provides additional monies for annual nursing scholarships that are funded in part by the Clay and Almira Smith Embry Nursing Endowment.

Dedicated men and women of the Auxiliary provide hundreds of hours yearly to Tri-State Hospital.  In addition to the hours of service and the donation of funds the Auxiliary provides they also act as goodwill ambassadors on behalf of Tri-State Hospital throughout the community.

If you are interested in becoming a Blue Angel Volunteer, please contact the Director of Volunteers at 509.751.0222 or email - tsmhdir@tristatehospital.org.

Gift Shop