Who We Are~
The Hospital Aid is a group of local citizens who pay a small membership fee to belong to this organization that supports the hospital. Members can choose their level of involvement by actively volunteering at the hospital, crafting items for the gift shop or simply attending monthly meetings. The Aid elects a Board of Directors to oversee the hospital volunteers and to plan meetings and events.
Why We Serve~
We join in the belief that the health and welfare of the community is our concern. We feel that we can help in many ways by:
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Holding monthly meetings on healthcare topics.
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Learning the facts about our hospital and interpreting them to the public.
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Performing extra services for our patients - trying to bring them comfort and cheer.
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Performing tasks that will lighten the load of the professional staff members in order to release them for work, which only they are trained to do.
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Raising funds for equipment and the operation of the hospital.
Services~
Some of our services include:
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Assisting in central registration and the mail room
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Baking for events
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Delivering flowers and mail
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Making crafts for the gift shop, raffles, and tray favors for patients
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Operating the hospital gift shop
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Performing errands and office duties for departments
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Transporting patients
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Working on health clinics
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Volunteering at fundraising events
Joining the Hospital Aid~
To become part of our wonderful group of Aid members, please call Community Relations for an application, 207-930-6739, give your name and address or email us at inquires@wchi.com. A membership fee of $10 per year is required which assures that you are notified of all Aid events and receive the hospital's newsletter.
Annual Meeting~
Hospital Aid Annual Meeting
In May, the Aid holds its annual meeting, which is an elegant luncheon for all Aid members. We also honor volunteers with pins recognizing hours worked. Each year, members donate thousands of service hours to the hospital. Research indicates that people who volunteer live longer. Most of all, volunteers receive the satisfaction that comes from being needed and doing something worthwhile that helps others.
2009 - 2010 Committee Chairs~
- Callers: Doris Kelley
- Central Registration: Marie Underwood
- Clinics: Priscilla Withee
- Finance: Ellen Kenney, Mary Snyder, Donna Tidd
- Garden Walk: Wilma Moses
- Gift Shop Coordinators: Geary Tibbetts & Sally Millhorn
- Gift Shop Scheduling: Carol Bisbee
- Liaison: Sandra Gordon
- Mailroom: Ellen Kenney
- Membership: Marion Pride
- MID Coordinator: Mary Snyder
- Newcomer Recruitment: Barbara Biscone
- Sunshine: Jean Russell & Ditty Shute
- Timekeeper: Donna Tidd
- Transport: Ellen Kenney
- Tray Favors: Connie Woitowitz
2009 - 2010 Officers
- Gift Shop Treasurer
Ed Kelley
- Recording Secretary
Judith Whitney-Blake
Awards~
Certificate from the Belfast Sesquicentennial Committee and Belfast City Council, July 2003. The Hospital Aid, which formed in May 1901, is one of the 10 oldest civic organizations in the city.
Commendation Certificate from the American Red Cross for hosting an annual Blood Drive in Belfast for over 20 years. August 2003.
History of the Aid~
In 1901, the Aid was composed of local women who mended and repaired linens at the hospital and solicited food for special occasions. They had fairs, card parties and dances to raise money to purchase medical equipment. In 1951, the Aid gave a lead donation of $750 to create a fund to build a new hospital and has been making yearly donations ever since.
Even though most hospital volunteer groups are called auxiliaries, the Aid has kept its original name. Today, there are 160 male and female members. |