The St. Andrews Hospital Auxiliary first began in 1952 at the suggestion of Dr. Phil Gregory to provide a working organization of dedicated people who could support the goals of the new St Andrews Hospital situated on our beautiful Boothbay peninsula. Today, 65 years later, the Auxiliary continues to provide assistance as needed to our two local campuses of LincolnHealth. Volunteers operate the Thrift Shop in the Meadow Mall, serve as greeters at the St. Andrews Campus of LincolnHealth, and also serve as volunteers at St Andrews Village in many capacities.

One of the tasks the Auxiliary holds sacred is its tradition of thanking the employees of our LH facilities at this giving time of year.

On Dec. 14, many Auxiliary members pooled their talents to host the employees of the Village and the Urgent Care campus at the Annual Employee Christmas luncheon held in both locations. Over one hundred plates of home prepared casseroles, salads and desserts were served to those who serve all of us so well throughout the year. Auxiliary president, Irene Gerny was on hand to greet luncheon guests at the LH St Andrews campus while past president, Carol Ostermann was happy to welcome into the dining room those employees who work at the Village.

The Auxiliary would like to thank Boothbay Region Greenhouses for the donation of a beautiful Christmas wreath and Carol Lingard for the lovely fresh table centerpiece, both of which were given away at the end of the luncheon to two lucky winners, Karen Nickerson from Urgent Care and Bob Drury from St. Andrews Village, respectively. Hannaford provided cranberry sauce and the ingredients for punch again this year, which are always welcome accompaniments to the meal. Thanks also to Maintenance and IT for help in setting up the Cochran conference room for the event.

The St. Andrews Auxiliary depends upon proceeds from the St. Andrews Thrift Shop to fund its support of various aspects of our local health care system which, in addition to LH, includes our ambulance service, LifeFlight, and scholarship money for local students pursuing careers in health care. The Auxiliary is always in need of more help at both the Thrift Shop and for direct "hands on" volunteering at the Gregory Wing. If you are interested in becoming a part of this dynamic organization and contributing to the health and welfare of our community, please contact membership chair, Patty Colhoun at 207-350-4221 for more information about how to become involved. Applications for Auxiliary membership are also available at the Thrift Shop.