Hospital Auxiliary

The South County Hospital Auxiliary was founded in 1933 with a mission “to enhance the quality of care received by the Hospital’s patients.”

Toward that end, the Auxiliary provides opportunities for adults to volunteer at the Hospital. More than 230 men and women of diverse ages and backgrounds volunteer their time to provide support in virtually all areas of patient care services. “All of the Volunteers, their work and their efforts save the Hospital a tremendous amount of money and human resources,” says former Auxiliary Vice President, Mary Ann Briggs.

The Auxiliary also raises money to help support various Hospital requests with annual fundraising events that include a nine-hole golf tournament every September; a fashion show at the Dunes Club every summer; and various ‘vendor sales’ held at the Hospital throughout the year.

Since 1976, the Auxiliary has raised over $1,000,000 for Hospital services and equipment. A recent commitment by the Auxiliary was a $150,000 contribution to the Capital Campaign, which supported two hospice care rooms in the new three-story Frost Family Pavilion.

Other tangible improvements over the years made possible by the Auxiliary include:

Construction of the nurses’ station in the emergency department

A new wheelchair-accessible WAVE van

A monitoring system for the emergency department

Two televisions with DVD for Ambulatory Care

New furniture for the Women’s Wing waiting area

Cancer Resource rooms for patients

Upgrades to SCH Intense Care Unit

Auxiliary fundraisers include the annual Fashion Show. The show and raffles raise close to $50,000 a year for the hospital. In addition the Auxiliary runs the Hospital’s gift shop and coffee shop, which are located on the first floor of the Hospital. Both are staffed entirely by Volunteers, including the managers, and raise a substantial amount of money for the Hospital. Combined, the coffee and gift shops raise close to $40,000 per year.

The Auxiliary also helps the local community in other ways. Every year, it provides a tuition scholarship to a South County resident who is pursuing studies for a career in healthcare. In 2002, the Auxiliary revived the Student Art Project, inviting local school children to display their work in the Artist’s Gallery off the lobby. The art is matted and framed by Volunteers for exhibit, then moved to patient rooms before being returned to the artists. A reception is held for each new exhibit, for the artists, their families, friends and Hospital administration.

If you would like to know more about the Auxiliary, contact Edith Johnston, Auxiliary President, at (401) 783-8984. If you are interested in becoming a South County Hospital Volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 788-1982.