Oaklawn Auxiliary installs officers for 2014, seeks to expand volunteer hours

The Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary held its annual officers installation meeting Monday, Jan. 13, and discussed the need for additional volunteer staff.

Officers for 2014 who were installed are: Kathy VanDerMeulen and Cheryl McAuliffe as co-presidents, Ann Grzeskowiak as recording secretary, Cindy Fish as corresponding secretary, Gloria Dempsey as Auxiliary treasurer and Sandy Fry as gift shop treasurer.

Auxiliary members discussed the need for additional volunteers to help expand hours at the hospital’s main information desk.

It’s hoped to make those new hours conform to the gift shop’s hours of 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, said Kyle Ann Keller, Oaklawn’s Development Coordinator.

“Auxiliary volunteers provide many valuable services to the hospital,” Keller said.

Keller said such services include welcoming patients and visitors at the information desks; staffing the gift shop; aiding staff or patients in departments such as the Oncology Clinic and Dialysis; making stuffed toys and tray favors; or assisting at special Oaklawn events such as blood drives, open houses and the Auxiliary’s annual Student Art Show.

Those who are interested in joining the Auxiliary team, or who wish additional information on becoming a volunteer at Oaklawn Hospital, are asked to contact Keller at (269) 789-3903, or visit Oaklawn’s website at www.oaklawnhospital.org and click on “Donate Your Time.”