HOSPITAL'S VOLUNTEERS GENERATE 30,000 WORK HOURS

The volunteer spirit a spirit which during the past year alone produced nearly 30,000 hours of service was saluted Thursday at Southeast Missouri Hospital's Auxiliary and Volunteer Recognition Dinner.

More than 200 people attended the dinner held at the Drury Lodge. Program highlights included musical entertainment by Mary Frances Kinder, Millie Limbaugh and Alene Yantis, and the presentation of awards to 89 volunteers who have reached service plateaus.

In addition to a service commitment, the auxiliary also offers financial support for hospital programs and patient services. The organization's most recent financial commitment to Southeast is a $100,000 pledge to the hospital's capital campaign for the East Clinical Services Building, now under construction on the eastern edge of the hospital site.

Southeast's 298 adult auxiliary members and volunteers logged 29,540 hours of service from Aug. 1, 1992, through July 31, 1992, said Director of Volunteer Services Charlotte Sargent. Besides assisting the hospital with the acquisition of new equipment and the implementation of new services, volunteers work in various capacities within the hospital as well as the Hospice program, Meals on Wheels, Mended Hearts and the Auxiliary Craft House.

Among special guests at the meeting were recipients of the auxiliary's two nursing scholarships. Southeast nurse Theresa Hall is pursuing work toward a master of science in nursing at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., and nurse Nancy Voelker is working toward her bachelor of science degree at Webster University.

Assistant Administrator Richard Meyer and Sargent presented awards to adult volunteers who have attained service milestones. Service awards represent the cumulative hours recorded for active volunteers since Sept. 1, 1979.

Top recognition went to Norma Sander of Cape Girardeau, who has given 8,000 hours of service to Southeast, and to Hazel Eaves of Cape Girardeau for having completed 7,500 hours of service.

An award for 5,000 hours of service was presented to Marie Bacon, and Wenona Harrison was recognized for 4,500 hours of service. Two volunteers, Bruxie Norman and Ina Warren, received pins for 4,000 service hours, and Esther Kirby was cited for completion of 3,500 hours of service to the hospital.

Pins in recognition of 3,000 hours went to Ethel Headrick, Audrey McIntire and Betty Schoenborn. Attaining the 2,500-hour service mark were Lois Bain and Lucy Gateley. Five volunteers Ginger Beaudean, Mary Lou Bray, Howard Brown, Peg Stanfield and Bette Wiist were cited for completing 2,000 service hours.

In addition, pins were presented to volunteers whose work milestones ranged from 100 to 1,500 hours of service.

Eight individuals received special recognition for having become auxiliary life members during the past year. Since 1980, when the life membership program was initiated, 66 individuals have reached that status. New life members are Anna Drury, Hazel Eaves, Irma Hill, Linda Tewis, Judi Hutson, Gwen Schild and Ben and Margaret Roberts.

During the business portion of the meeting, new officers were elected for 1992. They are Margaret Roberts, president; Peg Stanfield, vice president; Linda Tewis, recording secretary; Cherie Herbst, corresponding secretary; Jean Devore, treasurer; and Hazel Eaves, assistant treasurer.