On June 6 at the Newagen Seaside Inn, over 55 members of the St. Andrews Auxiliary were greeted by an atmosphere of gratitude at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Handmade placemats adorned with hearts and centerpieces displaying one of a kind “thank you” notes added to the program that revolved entirely around thanking all present for their individual contributions to the community through their work with the Auxiliary.

A short welcome by President Irene Gerny was followed with an update by LincolnHealth (LH) Executive Vice President and COO, Cindy Wade, who thanked the Auxiliary for its ongoing generosity and described the growing number and variety of services offered at the St Andrews campus (see https://mainehealth.org/lincolnhealth/services). In addition to medical services LH partners with our schools, coordinates with the District Nurse, houses Food for Thought and the Community Navigator program, lends support to the work of Chief Robert Hasch in addressing the opioid challenge, and through the Coulombe Center, focuses on bridging the gaps of service to “wrap care around the community.”

Laura Zajdel, a relative newcomer to the board, then took to the mic and through her own personal story conveyed a message that speaks to the value of volunteerism. In essence she said, at the end of the day, the person you interact with as a volunteer may not be able to recall your name or even remember you were there but your presence in that moment and perhaps for the rest of the day will “boost their overall mood” to everyone’s benefit.

Zajdel, service hours chair, then acknowledged all who donate hours at the Thrift Store, volunteer at the Village and on the St. Andrews campus, cook and serve at the annual Christmas luncheon for St. Andrews employees, and board and committee members who keep the organization humming with pursuits such as the scholarship program which directly assists health care employees enhance their education and skill base.

With the recent changeover of managers at the St. Andrews Thrift Shop, it seemed appropriate to mark the past 17 years with an ode to the shop that has financed the work of the Auxiliary all these years. Titled “Our Favorite Store,” the reconstituted St. Andrews Sisters, with grand enthusiasm, lead the group in a song written to the tune of “My Favorite Things.” “Girlie white dresses with blue satin sashes…snowflake designs on the ladies’ galoshes…cookie sheets, Pyrex…games, gadgets and more…,” well you get the idea! In tribute to all who have volunteered at the shop over the years Carol Lingard took the group on a trip down memory lane with anecdotes dating back to the shop’s earliest beginnings. Penny Thumith, of course, figured heavily in those stories and the event ended with a presentation of the “penny poster” to Thumith to commemorate her years of service to the shop and the organization.

The St. Andrews Auxiliary is a vibrant organization that welcomes new members and volunteers who want to work within the St. Andrews medical facilities or at the St. Andrews Thrift Store. Contact Patty Colhoun at pccolhoun@gmail.com to join the auxiliary; Carol McCarthy at crmccarthy20@hotmail.com to volunteer in the thrift store or Carol Ostermann at cwostermann@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer at the Village or on the LH St. Andrews campus.