Aileen Houghton, Auxiliary President

Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary volunteers are extraordinary people who care. We have much to be proud of when looking back at our accomplishments during 2010.

Last year 837 volunteers gave 73,585 hours of outstanding service to the hospital. This is an increase of  nearly 10,000 hours over the last two years.  Our volunteers can be seen on every floor of the hospital, and their circle of influence is wide. Hundreds of patients and their families have had the direct benefit of a smile and support in a stressful time.

In addition to time, the Auxiliary contributed funds. We donated $250,000 to the hospital, completing our $1 million pledge to the Watson Pavilion capital campaign. We continued our support for healthcare education by donating  $150,000 to Norwalk Community College. This fulfills our $300,000 pledge to fund a nurses suite in their new Health and Science Building, set for completion later this year. In addition, we once again gave gave four $1,000 scholarships to Greenwich High School seniors pursuing studies in healthcare.

Our new five-year, $1 million pledge to the hospital’s Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Healing began this past January with quarterly payments of $50,000. Revenues generated by donations from Auxiliary members and profits from our Gift and Thrift Shops will make this possible.

The Healing Shawls program completed its second year with the help of another $1,000 grant from IBM, used for the purchase of yarn.  Auxiliary members and nonmember volunteers created 325 hand-knit shawls and 150 hats for oncology patients last year. All told, we have presented more than 600 shawls and 300 hats as comfort measures.

If you look up the meaning of the word “ volunteer” in the dictionary, it reads “A person who gives service on his own free will.” Our volunteers do that, and more.

“Thank you” seems so inadequate for these caring and giving people. They make my position so easy, and make it a joy for me to come to the hospital.