St. Andrews Auxiliary held its annual meeting Wednesday, Oct. 17 with a harvest luncheon and fashion show at St. Andrews Village.

Preparations started early and excitement abounded as auxiliary volunteers helped Laura Honey, master of ceremonies for the fashion show, lay out the runway. Tantalizing aromas of the meal to precede the show came wafting into the room from the kitchen.

A brief annual meeting was held to elect new officers followed by a heartfelt report by St. Andrews Auxiliary Thrift Shop Manager Carole McCarthy. McCarthy applauded the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers who operate like “a well-oiled machine” to help make the thrift shop at the Meadow Mall the tremendous success it is. McCarthy has added a few things since taking over the helm from Penny Thumith, who continues to provide support, such as with the aprons and name tags. McCarthy appointed Honey cashier coordinator and Maren Fischer coordinator of substitute volunteers.

Volunteer Coordinator Carol Ostermann took a break from the registration table to say hello and reinforce the rewards of volunteering and the need for volunteers.

Auxiliary treasurer Judy Boyes presented a check which with prior donations this year totaled $43,290 to Scott Shott, vice president of development, marketing and community relations at LincolnHealth. 

Shott said the donation was greatly appreciated and was earmarked for a variety of much needed equipment at the St. Andrews campus. 

“It is hard to describe the morale boost you get from a group of independent people in the community donating their time to make something like this happen,” said Shott.

Before Honey started the fashion show, she asked the audience three questions: Have you ever shopped at St. Andrews Thrift Shop? Are you wearing a fashion from the thrift shop today? Do you volunteer at the thrift shop?  “If you answered no to any of these, I have one more question. Why not?”

The theme of the fashion show created by Special Events Chairman Carol Lingard and her committee was, “What Am I Going to Wear?” That did not appear to be a problem for the models because fashion statements were being made left and right with designer outfits bought from the thrift shop. Honey described each outfit including its total cost. A lot of good humor and clapping ensued as the models jauntily sashayed around the room. 

Irene Gerney, president of the auxiliary’s board of trustees, said, “We often have speakers who give serious talks so it is fun to lighten up sometimes.  It is good for everyone. We don't laugh enough!”

Since 1952, the Auxiliary has supported St. Andrews Hospital, now LincolnHealth, with volunteer services and funds to buy expensive hospital equipment. Gerney pointed out, membership dues contribute to the funds, but the funds are primarily raised at the thrift shop. All of the money brought in goes back into the community. 

The Auxiliary also gives scholarships. According to Linda Redman, scholarship chair, the ones awarded this fiscal year, including the Fran Hale Scholarships, totaled nearly $17,000.