Sunshine and sea breezes lightened the atmosphere at our annual St. Andrews Auxiliary Volunteer Recognition Luncheon July 15 at the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club. The club offered a buffet of shrimp, soup, salad and nautical views which did not disappoint. The volunteers were joyous and out in numbers … over 68!

Auxiliary Historian Carol Atwood Lyon gave the invocation which featured a spot-on tribute to the cause of volunteerism:

It’s not for money, it’s not for fame.

It’s not for any personal gain.

It’s just for love of fellow man.

It’s just to lend a helping hand.

It’s just to give a tithe of self.

That’s something you can’t buy with wealth.

It’s for that feeling deep inside.

It’s not medals worn with pride.

It’s that reward down in your heart.

It’s that feeling that you’ve been a part.

Of helping others far and near,

That makes you a Volunteer!

Author Unknown

Auxiliary Board Directory Chair, Sue Hochstein welcomed a dozen new Auxiliary members. Over 8,000 hours of volunteer service were recorded this year. Recognized for the highest recorded service hours were: Kim Bradley, Jim Jellison, Pam Reed, Suzanne Lajoie and Sarah Dillingham Waterman. 

The gathering was pleased to welcome Auxiliary scholarship recipient, Samantha Conzelman as guest speaker for our event. Samantha is pursuing a doctoral degree in medicine through the Maine Track Program between Tufts University School of Medicine and the Maine Medical Center. St. Andrews Auxiliary is a long-time donor to the Tufts Program. Here is an excerpt from Samantha’s remarks;

“Good afternoon everyone,

“Thank you so much for inviting me to be here today. It is truly an honor to stand before you as a recipient of a St. Andrews Auxiliary Scholarship.

“My grandmother, who was about as Maine as they come, taught me what it meant to be part of a community. We hauled lobster traps together, hiked in Acadia, camped on islands, and spent our days outside. One of my favorite memories was collecting buoys that washed ashore and hanging them on a designated tree so lobstermen could recognize and reclaim their gear. It was such a simple thing, but it reflected something I have always loved about Maine: people look out for each other.

“That spirit of community is one of the reasons I chose the Tufts Maine Track MD Program for my medical education.

“For those who aren't familiar with it, Maine Track is a partnership between Tufts University School of Medicine and Maine Medical Center. The goal is to educate physicians who understand Maine's unique healthcare needs and who are committed to serving Maine communities.

“One of the biggest challenges facing our state is access to healthcare, especially in rural areas. Maine needs physicians who understand these communities because they grew up in them, lived in them, and care for them. The tufts Maine Track was designed to help meet that need, and from the moment I learned about the program, I knew it was one I had to be a part of.

“My first year of medical school has been everything people warned me it would be: challenging, humbling, exhausting, and incredibly rewarding.

“One of my favorite moments from this past year happened during one of our surgical skills sessions. We were learning how to suture, and one of my Boston classmates looked over and asked, ‘Why is this coming so naturally to you?’

“Without thinking, I made a joke, ‘What, you've never worked as a first mate on the Charger fishing boat in Boothbay Harbor?’

“I think I left them quite confused, I’m not sure they knew what to do with that response.  

“When I first learned that I had received this scholarship, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Medical school is an incredible privilege, but it is also extraordinarily expensive. Every scholarship dollar makes a difference. Your support has made a meaningful shift in my ability to focus more fully on becoming the best physician I can be, and helps make a career serving Maine communities more attainable. I want to thank each of you for the time, effort, and dedication that made this scholarship possible. 

“So thank you, not only for your financial support, but for your faith in Maine students, your commitment to this community, and the countless volunteer hours that make opportunities like mine possible.

“Every time I cross that bridge, roll down my window, and take that first breath of Maine air, I'm reminded that home is more than a place.

“It's the people who invest in you, support you, and help you become exactly who you're meant to be. 

“Thank you.”

The primary source of income for our scholarship donations is our St. Andrews Auxiliary Thrift Shop. We are always looking to train new volunteers who will share our mission of service to the medical community. We are especially interested in volunteers who can help us through the winter months as we are open six days a week all year long.

If you need more information on joining us or if you would like to apply for scholarship help in a medical field, please visit our Thrift Shop for applications. Detailed information on scholarships is available through our Scholarship Chair Linda Redman (633-2237).