Published: April 26, 2007 01:35 pm            

Pretty in Pink

Navarro Regional Hospital hosted its annual awards/appreciation dinner for the auxiliary March 27. Connie Beal, auxiliary coordinator, began with a welcome to the auxiliary and a “thank you” for their 11,392 hours of service to the hospital in 2006.

Beal read a poem called the “Volunteer Quilt.”

Speaker, Jan Risinger, president 1985-1986, spoke on her favorite quilt block — heart and hand. “What does heart and hand mean on quilts? It comes from the Shakers, a form of Quakers that settled in communities from Maine to Kentucky. Their motto: ‘Hands to Work/Hearts to God.’ This is a significant thought for the volunteers. The auxiliary can sometimes be the ‘warm touch’ for the patient. Just a listening ear can be your most valuable gift to a patient who is lonely or afraid. Volunteers do this each and every day at Navarro Regional Hospital.”

Entertainment was provided by one of the newest and talented junior volunteers, Elizabeth Burleson. She played the acoustic guitar and sang “Hands” and “His Eyes Are on The Sparrow.”

Prayer was led by the Rev. B.F. Risinger Jr.

Dinner was prepared by Navarro Regional Hospital chef and caterer, Melody Conger.

The auxiliary volunteers earn their bars in this manner. They earn a pin for their first 100 hours of volunteering. Then they earn a bar for each 500 hours of volunteering.

The following volunteers were presented their awards by president Cleita Ferrell and president-elect Winona Stewart:

100 hour pin — Shep Stuart, Charles Washburn, Kathleen Powell, Carol North

1,500 hour bar — Barbara Talley, Doris McMillian, Jimmie Buchanan

2,500 hour bar — Juanita Marshall, LaVera Hampel

3,000 hour bar — Lucille Reffitt

3,500 hour bar — Irene Cox

4,000 hour bar — Shirley Bowen, Ernie Fincher, Helen Gilcrease

5,500 hour bar — Vivian Green

6,500 hour bar — Carolyn French, Jim Jackson

14,000 hour bar — Daisy Beggs

16,000 hour bar — Fannie Mae Vernon

21,000 hour bar — Winona Stewart

Special customer service recognition was given to volunteer Carol North for her quick response to a customer in need. She was recognized by Sharon Thomas, director of the Emergency Room and presented with a yellow lily.

Beal awarded two people as Volunteers of the Month: Vivian Green and Ernie Fincher.

Green worked in the business office at Memorial Hospital when the auxiliary was formed in 1959. She admired the way the volunteers helped the other departments and when she retired in 1979 she joined the volunteers and has been working the front information desk ever since. Green attends the general meetings, has served on committees, the board and was president of the auxiliary in 1981-1982 and again in 1995-1996. Green has been with the hospital over 47 years.

Fincher started in the canteen at Memorial Hospital in 1973 and then came to food services at Navarro Regional Hospital 1983. After retirement in 1993, she joined the volunteers. Fincher works the front information desk on Monday mornings. She said that “she does not wait for the unit to call her — she makes rounds to see what she can do for them.” Fincher attends meetings, helps with Dr. Day, blood bank and other hospital functions. She has been a part of the hospital for 39 years.

“We can’t thank our volunteers enough for their dedication and support to Navarro Regional Hospital,” Beal said. “They are truly a priceless gift.”

        

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