The St. Andrews Auxiliary will hold its 2017 Spring Luncheon at the Newagen Seaside Inn on June 7. The annual luncheon serves to recognize and thank its volunteers for their service to the community over the past year. Members contribute volunteer hours at both campuses of St. Andrews, many assisting with group and one to one activities at the Gregory Wing under the guidance of Jerie Phinney, Activities Director. In addition, a totally volunteer staff assists Penny Thumith at the St. Andrews Thrift Store, which is the primary funding source for Auxiliary donations to many of the region's health services providers.

This year the Auxiliary is pleased to welcome Addiction Outreach Specialist, Holly Stover, as its presenter to bring the membership up to date on the current opioid crisis and what is being done to combat its serious impact on the region.

Stover has had a long career of service to the people of Maine. Much of her work experience has been dedicated to improving the lives of children and adolescents and has addressed issues from homelessness and food insecurity to behavioural and mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse. As of July 2016 she completed 12 years with Maine's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) where she most recently served as director of the Office of Violence Prevention.

With roots in the Boothbay community but a career that has spanned the length and breadth of Maine, Stover is now focusing her energies here in the Boothbay region to help law enforcement combat the burgeoning opioid crisis through a county wide collaboration of multiple service providers to offer assistance to those who are ready to seek help for their addiction. Working through the Boothbay Region Community Resource Council (BRCRC)in partnership with Boothbay Harbor Police Chief, Bob Hasch, Stover believes the approach they have taken is starting to have some success.

The St. Andrews Auxiliary actively supports the continued development of exceptional medical care services and programs that encourage good health practices for the people of the Boothbay region and welcomes new members to the organization who either want to volunteer or simply stand in support of Auxiliary goals. Auxiliary applications are available at the St Andrews Thrift Store in the Meadow Mall.