Approximately 160 Washington County Hospital auxilians and their guests attended the fifty-first annual June Day held at the Hagerstown Church of the Brethren. The church hall was decorated with beautiful quilts representing this year’s theme, "Rags to Riches." Lois Harrison, auxilian and chairperson of the Washington County Hospital Board of Directors, explained the quilts represent the individual services and programs offered by the health system, that when pieced together blanket our community with quality health care services.

Linda Hovis, auxiliary president, reported on the group’s many accomplishments. She said one of the biggest changes for the volunteers this year was the Auxiliary Board of Directors’ decision to adopt new blue uniforms. Now the volunteers’ informal name has changed from the pink ladies to the blue angels, symbolizing the many contributions they make to caring for hospital patients and assisting staff.

In a written report to the volunteers, Cynthia Kennedy, director of volunteer services, noted that the members contributed 50,521 hours of service to the health system from May 2002 through April 2003. There were 22 new volunteens and 70 new adult volunteers who joined the auxiliary last year.

Many volunteers were recognized for the hours they served either at the hospital or in hospital programs at Robinwood Medical Center. Jim Hamill, president and CEO of the health system, and Linda Hovis, recognized volunteers for their service. Those with the largest number of hours accumulated over their volunteer careers included Janet Newcomer (17,000), Lucille Sloan (19,000), Lois Harrison (23,000), Clayora Pryor (24,000) and Vivian Hackman (44,000).

Sue Fiedler, chairwoman of the auxiliary’s nominating committee, announced that Delores Rice will serve as president-elect.

During the year, volunteers held several fund raising events, raising almost $233,000. One of the most successful, the annual Tree of Lights Ceremony, raised $21,258. The proceeds will be used to fund two full nursing scholarships and one full radiography scholarship to Hagerstown Community College. The auxiliary board also pledged $1 million over the next five years to the capital campaign for the new regional medical center.