More than 100 members of the Volunteer Auxiliary of Scotland Health Care System were recognized in April at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.

Following a delicious dinner catered by Morrison’s, volunteers and invited guests were entertained by soloist Nikki Edge. Special guests at the event included Mr. Jim Mason, Chairman of the Scotland Health Care System Board of Trustees; Judge Craig Ellis, the System’s Vice Chairman; Mike Waters, President of the Chaplain program; Greg Wood, System President and CEO; and Nancy Rogers, Volunteer Coordinator. Auxiliary board members present were: Margaret Herring, president; Joyce Smith, president elect; Mildred Greene, vice president; Sarah Thompson, secretary; and Barbara Campbell, Treasurer.

Mr. Wood offered comments echoed by many in attendance. “Scotland Health Care System is indeed an excellent hospital system due to the diverse group of individuals, staff, physicians, and most importantly, our volunteers. Trustees and community volunteers give up their time and give of their heart to make a difference. They do it because they want to, not because they have to or need to. They go out of their way to make a difference for each and every patient, staff member, and physician they encounter.”

Wood stood before a mock check of $518,683.50, which is the estimated value of the hours the volunteers contributed to Scotland Health Care System in just one year. “We would much rather have the hours in service than the actual financial contribution these volunteer hours equate to,” Mr. Wood continued. “We are privileged to have many volunteers who have been a part of our System for many years and given many hours to make this a better place.”

The Volunteer Auxiliary is a fundraising organization. President Margaret Herring, a 12-year volunteer said, “We have fundraising events throughout the year and operate The Scotch Bonnet Gift Shop. The profits are then used to fund new medical equipment including our $25,000 donation to help purchase the new digital mammography equipment. We support Foundation fundraising events such as Putting on the Ritz, and purchase coloring books and crayons for our pediatric patients. We pay for meal tickets for the family members of patients in need, telephone cards for our patients, and fund two scholarships for high school students, just to name a few ways our fundraising dollars are used.”

There are a variety of ways to serve at Scotland Health Care System – from folding linens, to working at the reception desks and the gift shop, to assisting in patient units such as the OB, Cardiac Rehab, and Emergency units, Central Sterile. In addition to their regular volunteer hours, many of the volunteers assist at community events, such as this year’s Women’s Health Event.

Recognized for 7,500 volunteer hours was: Charles Locklear

Recognized for 7,000 volunteer hours was: Jean Davidson

Recognized for 4,500 volunteer hours was: Joyce Smith

Recognized for 4,000 volunteer hours was: Bobby Lowery

Recognized for 3,500 volunteer hours was: Barbara Stone

Recognized for 3,000 volunteer hours were: Bea Bullard, Helen Hardwick, Beth James, and Hazel King

Recognized for 2,500 volunteer hours were: Gay Bostic, Glenna Fowler, and Margaret Herring

Recognized for 2,000 volunteer hours were: Mildred Greene, John Herring, and Alfred Houston

Recognized for 1,500 volunteer hours were: Bert Bostic, Barbara Broughton, Wilma Cowan, Billy Owens, Wilbert Perkins, and Katie Smith.

Recognized for 1,000 volunteer hours were: Elsie Allred, Annie Davis, Mary Grieselding, James Oxendine, and Ruby Spry.

Recognized for 500 volunteer hours were: Barbara Campbell, Jean Millard, and John Millard.

Recognized for 400 volunteer hours were: Leticia Patterson, Ercel Quick, Frederica Stuckey.

Recognized for 300 volunteer hours were: Kim Ammons, Janice Herndon, Phillip Jones, Marian McRae, Nancy Smith, and Sara Thompson.

Recognized for 200 volunteer hours were: Delores Baxley, Cathy Greene, Nellie Montgomery, and Aaron Williams.

Recognized for 100 volunteers were: Michael Grieselding, Tina Locklear, and Lymus McMillion.

“Volunteer Service is a rewarding opportunity to help others while giving of yourself, commented Ms. Rogers. “Our volunteers support our mission to provide quality health care. Anyone interested in joining the Health Care System’s Auxiliary may complete an online application at scotlandhealth.org or contact 291-7314.”