“This group provides so much financial support,” said Gary Jordan, president of St. John’s West Region.

His remarks came during the annual St. John’s Hospital--Aurora Auxiliary Recognition Banquet on April 28 at the United Methodist Church on Carnation Drive.

The auxiliary has been in existence since 1960, shortly after the local hospital opened late in 1959. Through the years, efforts of the many volunteers have raised funds for a variety of equipment and other accoutrements for the hospital--items that might not otherwise have been possible.

Taking top honors with the Auxilian of the Year award at the banquet was Mary Ann Hickman, chairman of the annual salad luncheon and long-time volunteer.

Prior to a dinner catered by Prime Cut of Monett, Don Buchanan, director of St. John’s West Region Foundation, asked guests to give a moment of silence in remembrance of members who have passed in the past year, including Ona Buchanan, Lena June Journagan, Matille Shepherd, Ione Patton, Valva York and Marie Hilton.

Buchanan recognized special guests: Gale Pate from the Aurora Community Hospital Board; City Councilman Steve Kahre; Shannon Walker of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce; and Marcia Sadler, a member of the West Region Foundation Board.

Likewise, he recognized Kristen Nava, a hospital employee who serves as the coordinator for volunteers, and Emily Jackson, from the auxiliary unit in Cassville.

Following the dinner, Dena Dishman, from Mercy Learning Resources, addressed the group about the organization’s service standards, which include:
• Treat everyone as a valued individual.
• Seek out and address customer needs.
• Make eye contact, greet and welcome everyone
• Display a positive presence.
• Keep custsomers and co-workers informed.
• Work as a team
• Maintain privacy and confidentiality.
• Keep a clean enviornment.
• Live the Mercy spirit.

Dishman outlined the mission of the organization, as well:  Rooted in the mission of Jesus and the healing ministry of the church, our mission is to provide high quality, compassionate health care serves in a personalized Christian environment. We seek to improve the health and quality of life of communities we serve, with particular concern for people who are economically poor.

Buchanan recognized the following active volunteers for their many hours of service to the local hospital:
• 12,258 hours  -  Lillian Kristek
• 6,646 hours  -  Mary Ann Manetzeke
• 5,686 hours  -  Mary Ann Hickman
• 4,977 hours  -  Dorothy Dobyns
• 4,027 hours  -  Ruth Stoddard
• 3,500 to 3,999 hours -      Ruby Daniel  and  Jan Lewis
• 3,000 to 3,499 hours - Wilma Brown, Pat DeHamer, Annie Golding and Levina Owens
• 2,500 to 2,999 hours -Jane Ann Pate and Helen Ribbing
• 2,000 to 2,499 hours - Mary Jane Brown, Madge Burch, Mary Alice Carson, Beverly Garoutte, Doris Landess, Anna Mae Maples, Mary Lou Thach, Isabell Wilcox and Joan Wise
• 1,500 to 1,999 hours - Anna Lee Gold, Dorothy Henson, Lucille Hoenshell, Vera Moore, Dean Ribbing and Treva Salkill
• 1,000 to 1,499 hours - Sara Brown, Harriet Daniel, Margaret Koehler, Sharon Shearhart and Karen Whitlock
• 500 to 999 hours - Alberta Conine, P.J. Graham, Marie Halmaggi, Jean Hughen, Joyce Hodges, Carrie Hung, Rose Ann Kester, Helen McNabb, Phyllis Meyer, Myrtle Reidle, Jan Seibert, Kimi Seigrist and Berta Stehr
• 250 to  499 hours - Mary Boll, Sue Cundiff, Janice Gilmore, Gwen Gilys, Daryl Golding, Roxie Korte, Linda Tinker, Doris Walker and Dee Welch
• 100 to 249 hours - Sharon Blankenship, Sandra Cox, Janice Grider, Ilo Ketron, Jean Mais, Glorry Oetker and Barabara Schmitt
• 1 to  99 hours - Lois Blades, Mary Burleson, Maxine Clay, Kathleen Crabb, Ronnie Garoutte, Donna Gregory, Velma Gregory, LaMoyne Hummel, Kay Kahre, Carolyn Pilkenton, Roberta Sparkman, Midge Sparks, Donna Todd, Joe Tulgetske and Pat Wheeler