In 1954, a dedicated group of women saw the need to support the new Aitkin Community Hospital, which opened its doors in January 1955 following a groundswell of support from residents and community fundraising. This year, the Riverwood Healthcare Center Auxiliary is celebrating 70 years of service to the hospital, clinics and communities Riverwood serves.
Today, almost 100 Riverwood Auxiliary members are busy all year long engaging in a range of activities. Their mission is to support Riverwood Healthcare Center through volunteer services, fundraising and the promotion of a positive image in the community.
Riverwood Auxiliary members, July 2024
“Riverwood Auxiliary members have truly made an outstanding contribution over 70 years, not only for our Riverwood organization but for our community as well,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Jessica Schmiesing. “Many of these individuals have been active with the Auxiliary for decades; their long-term dedication to our organization is absolutely remarkable and so very greatly appreciated.”
The Auxiliary is planning a 70th anniversary celebration for members and the staff at Riverwood on Aug. 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the cafeteria, which will include cake and coffee and a historical display showing Auxiliary activities.
Auxiliary members purchase and compile items for comfort care bags for cancer patients and pediatric activity bags for children having surgery. They also volunteer at Riverwood in jobs ranging from cafeteria cashier to clerical support for the staff, and cleaning duties for the therapy services department and for Riverwood’s three pharmacies in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor.
Key among the volunteer roles is staffing the gift shop, which offers clothing for adults, including jackets, shirts, and hats, as well as children’s books and toys, home décor, jewelry, candy and more. The gift shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to the public, patients and visitors.
Gift shop proceeds support the Auxiliary’s fundraising efforts, which have always been an important focus and successful effort over the years. Between 1954 and 1961, the Auxiliary donated to the hospital a total of $43,000. The hospital debt was to be retired in February 1962, but largely because of Auxiliary member donations, the Aitkin Community Hospital was able to retire its debt two years early in February 1960.
From the early 1990’s to today, the Auxiliary has contributed $662,500 for capital campaigns and medical equipment. Several examples include $100,000 to support the capital campaign for the construction of a new integrated hospital and clinic that replaced the original hospital facility in Aitkin and $22,000 for a Lucas device that is used for mechanical chest compressions to support life-saving care administered by medical professionals.
In 2022, the Auxiliary pledged $150,000 for the construction of the new surgery wing set to open in August 2024. To date, $55,000 has been paid on this pledge.
Fundraising activities include an annual quilt raffle, a plant sale in May, a holiday cookie sale, and several vendor sales, such as for linens and uniforms, where the Auxiliary gets a percentage of sales.
Since 1984, the Riverwood Auxiliary has annually honored and memorialized the loved ones of area residents with the Lights of Love Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the lobby of the hospital. Lights that decorate the tree can be purchased for a minimum donation of $5 in honor or in memory of someone.
The Auxiliary also hosts Festival of Tables at St. James Catholic Church in the fall. Each table host chooses a theme to decorate their table. The event includes a catered meal and an auction of baskets to raise money for a specific need such as cancer patient support or hospital equipment.
The Auxiliary gives back to the community in another important way too, including annual scholarships for one Aitkin and one McGregor high school senior in the amount of $1500 per student. The Auxiliary has also donated to local food shelves.
Auxiliary funds have also helped pay for ongoing maintenance of Riverwood’s Healing Garden next to the hospital and needed medical equipment, such as an infant hearing testing device, an EKG machine for the McGregor clinic, and wheelchairs for patient or visitor use.
Dorothy Insley and Wilma Sandberg are two 50-year Auxiliary members who served in many different roles over their long tenure. They staffed the gift shop and cafeteria checkout, delivered water jugs to hospital patients and escorted patients around the facility. In addition, they answered the call when the Auxiliary needed volunteers for fundraising events or community events like Operation Christmas or Salvation Army bellringing.
“We were kind of like Candy Striper volunteers, providing a lot of small services that made a big difference for our patients,” said Wilma Sandberg, who continues to volunteer one day a week as a cafeteria cashier. “One of the valued services we provided in the early years was reading to patients and writing letters for them.”
Claudine Nordean, a 30-year Auxiliary member, took a lead role volunteering for the gift shop, helping to select and buy items and one of five volunteers to help set up the first gift shop.
Terry Stein, another longtime Auxiliary member, has sewn and donated beautiful quilts for the annual quilt raffle for 38 years. For 18 years she sewed stuffed animals for use with child patients.
What draws Auxiliary members to volunteer? Getting to know new people, friendships and camaraderie are frequently cited reasons to get involved with the Riverwood Auxiliary.
The current Auxiliary officers are Colleen Miller as president, Lynn Lowe as treasurer, Jeanie Christian as secretary, and Carla Hakes and Cathy Wilke as schedulers.
Lynn Sandberg acts as Auxiliary coordinator on the Riverwood staff, overseeing the gift shop and volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact her at 218-927-2121, ext. 3916.