Marshall Browning Auxiliary doles out awards

<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">"Volunteers Plant the Seeds of Kindness" was the theme of the annual Marshall Browning Hospital Auxiliary recognition awards dinner Thursday, April 20 in the Marshall Browning Hospital conference room.<br /> Auxiliary President Lucille Smith welcomed members and guests. First Vice-President Lindell Slaughter led the attendees in the opening prayer.<br /> Sarah Doerner, who served as president for three years beginning in January 2011, noted that the Auxiliary was first organized in June 1960 with Arline Yehling serving as the first president. The first project was deskwork to distribute cards to visitors. <br /> For the past 57 years, the purpose of the Auxiliary has been to render services to Marshall Browning Hospital patients and the community, as well as assist the hospital in promoting the health and welfare of the community. The Auxiliary has worked to accomplish this through public relations, by helping create goodwill for the hospital and through volunteer services.<br /> Doerner reported the 2016 Tree of Life Campaign, which provided $20,000 to assist the hospital with several items for the hospital. A grand total of $400,000 has now been donated to the hospital since the Auxiliary first began its Tree of Life Campaign in 1996. One of the projects supported by the "Tree of Life" occurred in 2011 when the funds helped to furnish the inside of the new Marshall Browning Hospital Chapel, which through the inspiration of Auxiliary members Colleen Furry and Marceil Reminger led to the building of the Chapel.<br /> "It is through the continued tremendous support of our community members that the MBH Auxiliary has been able to continue the activity that has contributed funding for so many additional resources for the hospital," Doerner said.<br /> In 2016, 50 Auxiliary members volunteered a total of 6,502 recorded hours for the hospital in various places. Making an economic comparison, she further noted with the current minimum hourly wage of $8.25, the volunteer hours of the members in 2016 would equal a paid salary of $53,641.50.<br /> Dan Eaves, CEO of Marshall Browning Hospital, thanked the Auxiliary members for their many volunteer efforts. He gave updates and information regarding the new hospital activities and services at Marshall Browning Hospital. Gift tote bags from Eaves and the the Board of Directors, inscribed with the words "Volunteers Plant the Seeds of Kindness" and decorated with colorful flowers, were presented to each of the Auxiliary members for their volunteer contributions.<br /> Auxiliary treasurer Shirley Weisel presented gift checks to Sue Setzehorn, hospital cafeteria manager, and the cafeteria staff members present for the meal they prepared and served to the attendees.<br /> "We want to thank Mr. Eaves and the Marshall Browning Hospital Board of Directors for their support and for all of the assistance and great help that staff members Heather Kattenbraker, Pam Logan and Sara Dickey give to the Auxiliary members during the year," Doerner noted on behalf of the Auxiliary members. "You give our Auxiliary members the opportunity to volunteer at Marshall Browning Hospital and to share in a very worthwhile and rewarding activity."<br /> In closing, Doerner gave special thanks to Heather Kattenbraker, hospital administrative assistant, for her friendship to the Auxiliary members and her devoted assistance to the Auxiliary each year by rewarding her with some special treats.<br /> Leggans distributed gift bags from Doerner to each of the Auxiliary members present. Each bag contained a colorful pencil and a notebook to record their hospital volunteer schedules, and a container of peppermint and chocolate candies "to give them the energy to continue their important MBH volunteerism efforts!"<br /> </span></span>