St. Andrews Hospital has ceased to exist, but the energy and generosity of the St. Andrews Auxiliary continues to be one of the many great resources in our community.

In addition to many monetary gifts that the auxiliary gives to the local healthcare community, the auxiliary also provides scholarships to local residents who are attending nursing school and to those employed in the local healthcare activities who want to add to their expertise. Here are some words from scholarship recipient Robyn Ham.

“I am one of the very grateful recipients of scholarship money St. Andrews Auxiliary offers. Currently I work at the St. Andrews Campus as a technician in the Urgent Care Center as well as being a member of the Boothbay Region Ambulance Squad. Since I was 16 years old I have worked in healthcare in the Boothbay region where I became a licensed EMT shortly after my 17th birthday. For the past three years I have been employed by Lincoln County Healthcare.

"After graduating from the Boothbay Region High School, I attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) where I completed prerequisite study for nursing school as well as a few of my nursing school courses. While I was a student at UMFK the auxiliary provided me with very generous scholarships.

"Currently I am a student at Maine College of Health Professions Fast Track Program, formally known as Central Maine Medical Center School of Nursing, with an anticipated graduation date of 2016. The auxiliary has once again awarded me scholarship funds, this time equaling the full cost of tuition. Without their generosity I would have to continue working more than full time while attending school, just to make ends meet.”

The auxiliary is always eager to have new members to work in the Thrift Shop and to volunteer at St. Andrews Village in various capacities. If you are interested in becoming a member and thus supporting the many activities of this group of dedicated persons, you can find a membership application at the Thrift Shop in the Meadow Mall or contact Membership Chairman De Amplo at 207-633-5129 or by email at seawood98@aol.com.