The MCH&HS Auxiliary
The MCH&HS Auxiliary has more than 200 active volunteers. Their history of involvement and support of the hospital goes back to the 1950s, when the community was raising funds to build the hospital. The purpose of the MCH Auxiliary is to promote and to advance the welfare of Memorial Community Hospital & Health System. This is accomplished in a variety of ways. The rewards of volunteering include:
- Meeting everyday people who share a common commitment to giving back and making a difference in our community
- Being part of a caring, professional team of healthcare providers
- The wonderful feeling you get from accepting new challenges and helping others
MCH&HS Auxiliary Closet
Located at 238 S. 13th Street in Blair, the MCH&HS Auxiliary Closet is a thrift store staffed by employees and volunteers. Donated items from the community are used to stock the store. All proceeds from the store are reinvested in MCH&HS. Your money stays in town to help those in your community!
Hours of operation are:
Monday – Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
MCH&HS Auxiliary Rummage Sale
The Annual MCH&HS Auxiliary Rummage Sale is typically held annually in September at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Arlington, NE. Over the years, thousands of shoppers have attended the sale. Donated items are split into various departments, including clothing, books, dishes, furniture, linens, notions, shoes, toys, cards, and jewelry. The MCH&HS Auxiliary works hard to ensure all leftover items are recycled or repurposed so that very little from the sale gets thrown away. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed! Trucks and trailers are also needed yearly to help move donations from Blair to Arlington the week of the sale. Please contact Kim Dutton at 402-426-2030 or kdutton@mchhs.org if you are interested in volunteering.
COVID-19 : The Auxiliary Board of Directors decided the 2020 Rummage Sale will not go on as planned. Waiting to make a decision at a later date was not an option as there is too much planning and coordinating that is done months in advance of the normal sale dates.
Some of the concerns that contributed to our decision include the risk factors associated with our volunteer base, the lack of being able to control social distancing within multiple buildings & tight spaces, and the risks that could be presented by the shoppers that come from a variety of demographic areas (including high-case counties within Nebraska & Iowa, in addition to other states). We also have to be mindful of our association with the hospital and respect the guidelines that have been provided by our local health professionals/organizations.
The Board is considering some other options/opportunities to possibly hold smaller sales throughout the following months at a different location. This would help reduce our inventory while allowing us to operate within the CDC/local health guidelines.
Auxiliary Board of Directors
1. Leslie Watts – President
2. Pat Rogers – Vice President
3. Vicki Janssen – Treasurer
4. Mackenzie Anderson – Secretary
5. Cindy Beyerink
6. Dinah Davison
7. Angie Hodson
8. Mary Kempcke
9. Robin Miller
10. Merri Misfeldt
11. Liz Otte
12. Barb Triplett
MCH&HS Auxiliary Service League
Service League volunteers assist Memorial Community Hospital staff by greeting patrons as they come to Memorial Community Hospital. Additional duties of Service League volunteers include delivering materials, escorting patients, helping departments with various duties, and helping guests find their way.