Auxiliary Volunteers
Volunteer Opportunities
The St. Joseph Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) Auxiliary, established nearly 50 years ago for the purpose of providing assistance to the patients, staff, hospital and community, is an integral part of the medical center's mission and philosophy in action. Organizing and staffing a coffee shop for visitors and employees was a primary activity of the early Auxiliary group. After a period of inactivity, the Auxiliary was reorganized and re-energized in the early 1970s, focusing efforts on establishing a toy workshop and developing the gift shop. In 1989, the gift shop became the Elizabeth Gift Shop, in honor of Elizabeth Barnes, a key figure in the reorganization of the Auxiliary and growth of the gift shop.
The SJRMC Auxiliary has grown to a current membership of approximately 250 devoted women and men who contribute thousands of hours of service, raise funds for support of special medical center projects and/or equipment, and provide immeasurable goodwill in our community. Easily recognizable in their pink or navy jackets, the SJRMC volunteers provide a variety of services throughout the medical center. Whether providing information at the main desk, assisting patients being admitted or discharged, staffing the surgery waiting lounge, taking blood pressure readings, running errands, making toys, or working in the Elizabeth Gift Shop, each volunteer offers a reassuring smile and a helping hand to those in need.
In addition, the Auxiliary has planned, organized and hosted the annual Five Tastes of Wine event for the past 37 years. In 1999, the Auxiliary joined forces with the SJRMC Foundation to expand the wine tasting into a two-day gala event, which has proved to be a very popular and successful social and fundraising venture. The Auxiliary also hosts an annual salad bar at the medical center in June and an annual mini tree and wreath auction during the Christmas season. These fundraising efforts enabled the Auxiliary to contribute $225,000 in 2010 to support the Cancer Center's move to a more spacious, patient-centered location at the medical center's Idaho Street location.
All the funds raised by the Auxiliary are earmarked for special projects within the hospital, which enhance the quality of medical care available in our community.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining this dedicated and energetic group of volunteers, please contact the Volunteer Services Office at 208-799-5319 or send an email to Marilyn Eyler-Abney at meyler-abney@sjrmc.org to learn more about this program. There is also a program in place for high school and college volunteers.