ARH Volunteer Auxiliary Celebrates National Volunteer Day

Alleghany Regional Hospital recently celebrated National Healthcare Volunteer Day by honoring the ARH Volunteer Auxiliary with a luncheon on Friday, April 20, 2007.  The luncheon was held at the Brass Lantern and special guests included, Teresa Johnson, Chairwoman, ARH Board of Trustees; Tim Tobin, CEO, Alleghany Regional Hospital; Matt Mathis, Associate Administrator; Cindy Durham, Community Relations and Business Development; Brenda Woodie, Administrative Assistant, ARH; and Virgil Woodie, retired, ARH Dietary Director.  Reverend Lee Dotson offered the invocation after observing a moment of silence and offering a prayer for the families and friends of the Virginia Tech victims.

After the luncheon, new auxiliary board members were installed by Brenda Woodie on behalf of the ARH Board of Trustees.  New board members are Delores Turner, President; Betty Clinedinst, Vice President; Marilyn Bailey, Secretary; and Rodney Kyle, Treasurer; and Bonnie McGuire, Immediate Past President.  Bonnie McGuire and Virginia Montgomery were recognized and thanked for serving as President and Vice President for the previous term. 

Service awards were given to the volunteers for the many hours devoted to the hospital, with Mary Dodd being named Volunteer of the Year.  Also recognized were Charlie and Thelma McKee who recently retired from the ARH Volunteer Auxiliary. 

The Alleghany Regional Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary celebrates 35 years of service this year.  In 2006, the ARH Volunteer Auxiliary provided over 11,000 hours of service to our facility.  The ARH Volunteer Auxiliary currently has 32 active auxiliary members, serving ARH by providing coverage for the information desks, as escorts/greeters for patients, visitors and family members, providing daily morning and evening newspapers for patients, and operating the Cottage Window Gift Shop.

Each year the proceeds from the Cottage Window Gift Shop and volunteer sponsored special sales are used by the ARH Volunteer Auxiliary for a variety of community needs including the Christmas Mother, Salvation Army, the YMCA, After Prom Parties and the Highlands Free Clinic. 

In 2006 the Volunteer Auxiliary gave $4,375 in community donations, $7,000 to patients of ARH including providing prescriptions and transportation to those in need, and awarded $3,000 in scholarships to area students.

If interested in becoming an ARH Volunteer, please call Amy Haymaker, Volunteer Coordinator at 862-6606.