Barstow Community Hospital Auxiliary bids farewell after 62 years
One heart no longer beats at Barstow Community Hospital as the Auxiliary group bids a final farewell.
For 62 years, the Barstow Community Hospital Auxiliary diligently served staff, patients, and local nonprofits as they promoted goodwill across the community.
On Thursday, auxiliary members and hospital staff met for lunch at Los Domingos restaurant to commemorate the group’s efforts before the Auxiliary closed its last chapter.
Barstow Community Hospital spokesman John Rader called the organization’s end “a sad day for the hospital, the Barstow community, and me.”
“I made a lot of friends over the past 25 years as their hospital liaison,” Rader said. “The hundreds of Auxiliary volunteers gave the time of their lives and were truly the heart of healthcare. I will miss seeing them on a regular basis.”
As a final act of the Auxiliary’s benevolence, the organization donated $25,000 to the Barstow Community College Foundation for future healthcare student scholarships.
The Auxiliary comprises mostly retired women who volunteer their time promoting BCH, fundraising, and health careers through scholarships.
The BCH Auxiliary was recognized by the Barstow Chamber of Commerce as the “Organization of the Year” in 1982 and again in 2010.
Declining membership and revenue
After decades of service from several hundred volunteers, the organization filed for dissolution effective at the end of December, Rader said.
In May, Auxiliary President Patty Peters penned a letter to fellow members that said, with a heavy heart, she announced that a unanimous vote by members sealed the agreement to dissolve the Auxiliary.
The decision to dissolve the group came after years of declining membership and primarily due to lost revenue from the loss of the gift shop and vending machines, Peters said.
“Without this funding, the auxiliary is unable to continue our purpose, according to the bylaws, to volunteer service to the hospital and its patients through public relations, fundraising, and promoting interest in health careers through scholarships,” Peters said.
Because of the group dissolving, it was voted to waive membership fees for the upcoming year.
In May, the gift shop began reducing inventory sales, with items sold at 50% off. The gift shop continued sales until all items were sold, with an end date of July 31.
The front desk will continue to have volunteers scheduled through the Auxiliary until December 31. At that time, the volunteers can continue service through the hospital's Human Resources Department if they so choose.
Mary Mack
In February, friends and loved ones mourning the death of longtime community leader and Auxiliary member Mary Grace Mack, who was once crowned “Hospital Hero” and Barstow’s “Woman of the Decade.”
In a previous interview, Rader said Barstow lost another of its “pillars,” speaking of Mack, who died on Feb. 8 at “93 years young.”
Among her many accomplishments, Mack began volunteering at BCH in 1964, and she remained an active Auxiliary member for the past 58 years, Rader said.
More than 40 years ago, as part of her BCH Auxiliary commitment, Mack took on the responsibility of chairing the Barstow area blood drives for the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, renamed LifeStream in 2008, Rader said.
“During her tenure, the blood bank collected more than 41,500 units of blood – enough to benefit more than 125,000 patients,” Rader said. “Humbly, Mary would say that the credit for the blood bank’s massive success should go to the many Barstow residents who have donated blood over the years.”
Mary was honored by the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce as Barstow’s “Woman of the Decade” in 1994 and “Woman of the Year” in 2005.
In 2012, Mary Mack was named a “Hospital Hero” by the California Hospital Association, representing more than 400 hospitals throughout California.
Auxiliary history
This history of the Auxiliary, from 1959 through December 1978, was researched and written by Auxiliary members the late Mary Mack and Lucy Bellomy.
The BCH Auxiliary was organized in the fall of 1959, with a charter membership limited to 25.
Their first meeting was held in 1960, and work in the hospital started in late January or early February. Their original position in the hospital was in two shifts – afternoon and evening.
Besides taking care of the visitor’s desk, they also operated the switchboard and mimeograph machine.
In 1962, it was decided to add a morning shift, and special training was given to the girls who worked this shift.
Auxiliary duties varied from filling patients’ water containers to making beds and helping out in the kitchen.
Their first money made consisted of revenue from the candy and cigarette machines for patients.
In 1961, a Money Tree raffle was added as a source of income.
The rental of TVs for patient use was instituted.
A Coke machine was placed in the lobby by the Auxiliary.
In the first five years after their organization, the Auxiliary donated approximately $7,700 equipment to the hospital.
In 1964, work was started towards granting a $200 nursing scholarship for a Barstow girl. The first scholarship was awarded in 1965.
In 1969, the scholarship qualifications were changed to include both men and women graduates from either Barstow High School, Kennedy High School, or Barstow College who considered a career in the paramedical field.
In 1966, the Auxiliary began hosting a New Mothers Tea every two months for ladies in their 7th or 8th month of pregnancy.
Expecting mothers were shown films on what to expect when their baby was due. They were also given a tour of the hospital's maternity unit to prepare them for their stay.
In 1968, it was decided to discontinue the rental TVs. The Auxiliary purchased 22 new RCA TV sets and individual remote controls for every bed. They presented them to the hospital, thus providing free TV to every patient.
In 1968, the Auxiliary contracted to take pictures of all the newborns.
The Auxiliary opened its long-awaited gift shop. With this, the group could eliminate its small cart and provide more gift ideas and necessities for patients and visitors.
The 70s
In 1970, it was decided to award two scholarships; in 1971, these scholarships were raised to $250 each.
In 1970, the Auxiliary began its fundraising Christmas show. Over 90% of all items sold at the shows were either handmade by Auxiliary members or refinished and made to look like new.
In 1971, the group’s fiscal year was changed from January to June, and officers served an 18-month term in office.
The Auxiliary acquired a post office box to receive the bulk mail.
The Auxiliary’s big money maker was their first Christmas Show and Ball, which included a Money Tree drawing.
In 1972, one of the Auxiliary’s “Pink Ladies” was nominated as Humanitarian of the Year for San Bernardino County.
The organization added a training chairman and reorientation for all members. Discussions were also started on the Tele-Care program.
For the first time, the Auxiliary presented “Follies” in cooperation with a New York production company.
The area used as a conference room, office, dining room, and other uses was transitioned back to a chapel.
In 1973, Tele-Care was started.
Membership application forms were updated, and double time was approved for all in-service hours on weekends and holidays.
In December, Christmas stockings were presented to the Obstetrics department and given to parents to take newborns home.
During the year, the Auxiliary’s major money maker was a Christmas show, where they made over $2,500.
A new chairperson, a Tele-Care liaison, the Inland Council, and a yearbook were added.
The Auxiliary presented a Humanitarian award to Charter Member Faye Carter for her ceaseless efforts as an Auxiliary member.
In 1974, new uniforms were approved, and by June, everyone had packed away their pink pinafores and white blouses and were now wearing new white pants or skirts and pink smocks.
A memorial fund was established that included $1 per member to be taken from the General Fund. At the time of the death of an Auxiliary member, $15 would be placed in the Memorial Fund.
The second, “Follies,” brought the Auxiliary a profit of over $2,500.
In 1975, the Auxiliary participated in a disaster drill with all hospital employees.
The Auxiliary upgraded its scholarships, and two were awarded $375 each.
Free evening newspapers were delivered daily for the Pink Ladies to pass out to all patients.
A Christmas Tea brought in a profit of almost $500.
In 1976, a bus trip was offered for members to go to the Farmers Market in Los Angeles and to attend a TV game show.
Emergency supplies were made available to patients who were in need. These supplies included toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, and other small necessities.
The “Follies” were held again and proved to be another success.
In 1977, a garage sale held in a parking lot on Main Street brought in over $1,000.
The hospital decided to have a Christmas decorating contest, each department decorating a different area. The Auxiliary was given the main lobby to decorate.
In 1978, the Auxiliary had several workshops with items made to be sold at a two-day bazaar in October.
Four yearly fundraising bake sales were scheduled.
A Tupperware party was a big fundraiser.
Quarterly Blood Banks were held at the hospital.
Before 1978, equipment donated to the hospital varied – from the first patient water containers, pillows, and bedspreads to the complicated heart-monitoring units.
From January 1960 through December 1978, Auxiliary members completed 123 to nearly 172 hours of volunteer work.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Barstow Community Hospital Auxiliary bids farewell after 62 years
