Hackley Volunteer Highlights
1924: Hospital Superintendent Amy Beers called together a group of women who began the Auxiliary.
Nov. 24, 1924: Nellie B. Chisholm was named president. Other officers were: Mrs. F.E. Hammond, first vice president; Mrs. Charles B. Cross, second vice president; Mrs. F. G. Neumeister, secretary; and Mrs.Ernest Klein, treasurer. The committees were chaired by Mrs. R.I. Busard, School of Nursing; Mrs. C.A. Teifer, Furnishings; Mrs. S.A. Jackson, Equipment; Mrs. J. Bursma, Surgical Supplies; Mrs. Hubert Baker, Free Beds; Mrs. G.J. Hartman, Comforts; and Mrs. C.J. Durham, Social Affairs. Fundraisers at this time included card parties, rummage sales, pantry and basket sales, dues and donations.
March 2, 1925: Free Bed work began.
April 1929: The Auxiliary decided to form "circles," each with its own director who became a member of the board. Mrs. Bess Teifer formed the first circle; Mrs. C.J. Durham the second; and Mrs. John Beukema formed the third. The funds raised were spent on equipment for the hospital which ordinarily could not be purchased by the Board of Trustees. The Auxiliary met 10 times a year, with two meetings open to the public.
1940s: A Junior League of high-school age students was formed as a separate unit of the Auxiliary with its own officers and activities. Its advisor was appointed by the president of the board from the Senior Auxiliary. Its project was the nursery and children's ward.
1940s: The Free Bed unit endowed one Babies Free Bed at a cost of $5,000, bought equipment, furnished a room and purchased an electrocardiograph. The Auxiliary's gifts totaled more than $10,000 in nine years, and there were 45 active circles.
1950: Mrs. C.C. Bradbury organized the Future Nurses, which the Auxiliary supported.
1956: $10,000 was pledged to the Building Fund, and in 1962, $15,000 was pledged toward the new pediatrics ward.
1959: The Cherry Guild opens the hospital gift shop. As of its 40th anniversary in 1999, the Guild had donated $1.5 million to the hospital with money made from gift shop sales. Its members had contributed 240,000 hours of volunteer service.
1960s: The circles combined their efforts on large projects: lawn parties, bridge parties, summer festivals, morning coffees, baked good sales and bazaars. The Auxiliary had contributed an average of $5,000 a year from 1955 to 1965.
1969: The Auxiliary had a membership of 425 and 51 circles. Gifts included a $20,000 pledge for the building fund and Future Nursing financial support.
1972: The Building Fund pledge of $20,000 was paid in full with a donation of $4,000.
1973: The Auxiliary donated $2,225 for the remodeling of the Nurses Home. In addition, a new sofa was purchased for the parlor.
1974: The Auxiliary sponsored a style show, raising $1,000. A Spring Tea was held at the Nurses Home, netting $1,166. The Candy Striper Awards Tea was sponsored by the Auxiliary.
1975: The Auxiliary marked 50 years of service with an anniversary celebration in the Hackley Hospital cafeteria. Attendance was 127.
1975: $1,500 was spent on furnishings and refurbishing the Hackley Hospital School of Nursing.
Sept. 22-23, 1978: The Hackley "Follies" were held at the Frauenthal Theater. The final profit was $15,182.51. A check for $20,000 was presented to Hackley Hospital for the new Coffee Shoppe.
1978: The first Volunteer Recognition Awards Brunch, sponsored by Hackley Hospital, was held at First Congregational Church. Marie Pyle, Florence Busard and Kathryn Gillard were honored for 54 years of service.
Sept. 26-27, 1980: The second biannual Hackley "Follies" was held at the Frauenthal Theater. The profit was $13,163.62 and 1,700 attended.
November 1980: Lobbyside Coffee Shoppe opened with 135 volunteers participating.
1981-1982: The Coffee Shoppe building fund pledge was paid in full.
Sept. 24-15, 1982: The third "Follies" was held at the Frauenthal Theater. The profit was $12,572.93 and 3,000 attended. The show's proceeds were used to buy a van to transport outpatients to and from the hospital for treatment.
The second Volunteer Recognition Awards Brunch was held at First Congregational Church. Awards were given to Outstanding Volunteers -- Barbara Grennan, Darlene Smith (Auxiliary) and Carol Munroe (Free Bed); Touch of Kindness -- Florence Kay; "Follies" -- Barbara Grennan, Joyce McNabb, Judy Wilcox and Janet Smith; Coffee Shoppe -- Darlene Smith; and "Nellie B. Chisholm" -- Florence Kuenzie.
Barbara Grennan was elected president of the Michigan State Medical Society Auxiliary in 1981-1982. Darlene Smith was elected treasurer of that group from 1981-1983.
1983-1984: Darlene Smith was elected financial chairman of the Michigan State Medical Society Auxiliary for 1983-1985 and president of the West Central District of the Michigan Association of Hospital Auxiliaries in 1983-1984. Nancy Crandall is the president-elect for Michigan State Medical Society Auxiliary and was installed in May 1984.
Sept. 21-22, 1984: "Follies Four" raised nearly $19,000 for a new birthing room on the OB floor.
Today: About 90 Auxiliary members pay yearly dues to be a part of the organization, according to Kathy Daly, Hackley Hospital volunteer supervisor and development coordinator. The Auxiliary still provides an annual scholarship to a young person entering a health-related career.
Volunteer history prepared by Volunteer Services Manager Audrey K. Peterman.
Reprinted with permission from the Muskegon Chronicle
