A celebration for National Volunteer Week will be held from April 18 to 24 to recognize the many selfless individuals who donate their time to various causes across the country. Prowers Medical Center is proud to have a team of volunteers who contribute their energy and positive attitudes to the hospital, including the selfless volunteers in the hospital’s Auxiliary.

After needing to put their initiatives on hold in March 2020 due to COVID-19, the ladies of the Prowers Medical Center Auxiliary are excited to be back together, according to Auxiliary Member Lois Schroeder. The volunteer-led association assists in the delivery of Prowers Medical Center programs and services to the public. Officers include President Nancy Eddleman, Vice President Janet Erdman, Corresponding Secretary Jean Reifschneider, Treasurer Mary Dyess and the rest of the group’s quality, sewing busy bees.

Nearly half of the Auxiliary members contribute handiwork — crafting everything from blankets and quilts to tea towels — to be sold at the Hospital Gift Shop. While the intent of the Gift Shop is to provide a welcoming place where patients can purchase items, the money earned is used to purchase new hospital equipment and provide programs and education for patients in need.

Due to the pandemic, the Gift Shop was closed from March through August 2020. After this period of closure, Schroeder said her team was determined to get the Gift Shop up and running again. One to two Auxiliary volunteers continue to contribute a few hours a day in the Gift Shop to offer a helping hand when it was most needed.

“The great news is we are almost back to full occupancy, so patients can stop by and see us again,” Schroeder said. “If we see someone who appears to be having a hard time, whether they’re waiting for an appointment or for a family member, we’ll go out and talk with them.”

The Auxiliary’s fundraising activities in 2020 were also put on hold because of the pandemic; however, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 1, the group will host its annual Yard Sale at the Fair Grounds in the 4-H Building.

“It will be so great to see everyone’s faces again,” Schroeder said.

Despite not being able to fundraise last year, Schroeder said through memberships and generous donations, the Auxiliary still had funding to donate to the Lamar Hospice Area Ministerial Alliance, the Sparrow House Ministries. Moreover, the Auxiliary awarded four scholarships to second-year nursing students at Lamar Community College, totaling $1,000 per scholarship.

“Our volunteers are dedicated, and they care about others,” Schroeder concluded. “They are compassionate communicators and help make Prowers Medical Center a more comfortable place to be.”

Thank you to the volunteers in the Prowers Medical Center Auxiliary, as well as the many other volunteers who choose to donate their time at our hospital!