Wednesday, January 29, 2003

Auxiliary members lend a helping hand

With more than 250 active members and still growing, Fayette Community Hospital's Auxiliary is one of the largest active auxiliary organizations in Georgia. The Auxiliary brings immeasurable benefit to the hospital, its patients and the community by providing assistance in areas such as the Emergency Room, Diagnostics, the Information Desk, the Fitness Center, Surgical Services and the Gift Shop.

Always present to brighten a patient's day, these volunteers can be seen throughout the Hospital delivering flowers and comforting family members.

The Auxiliary also coordinates blood drives, fundraisers and the decorating of the Hospital during holidays. Since before the Hospital opened in 1997, Auxiliary members have provided more than 180,000 hours of service. The Auxiliary has received The American Red Cross Blood Drive Award for the largest participation from a community hospital in the Southeast District.

"The Auxiliary is an important part of our Hospital's strong foundation," said Darrell Cutts, Fayette Community Hospital CEO. "From organizing fundraisers to helping patients to their treatment rooms, these people are an indispensable part of our organization, and we greatly appreciate all they do.

"The Auxiliary's presence makes a tremendous difference to our patients and families," he added. "The warm smiles and kind words that our Auxiliary brings to FCH are appreciated, admired and respected by our patients and families, as well as our employees."

There's no generation gap in the Auxiliary; even teenagers participate in the program. The Youth Volunteer Program invites young people from 14-18 years old to serve during the summer months. They have an opportunity to experience a health care setting while providing a service to the community.

The Auxiliary's activities are not limited to functions at the Hospital. Every April, the group hosts the Fayette Community Hospital Auxiliary Golf Tournament. More than 100 golfers gather to play for something more than birdies, eagles and bragging rights. They play to help support all the great initiatives of the Auxiliary and Fayette Community Hospital.

For more information, or to join, call the Auxiliary Office at 770-719-7098. Or, stop by the Hospital and fill out an application.

Fayette Community Hospital, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Piedmont Medical Center, is located on Highway 54 in Fayetteville. Services of the 100-bed community hospital include: 24-hour emergency services and Minor Emergency Care; medical/surgical; critical care; diagnostics, including laboratory, radiology and mammography, as well as an Outpatient Diagnostics Center; respiratory; physical therapy and rehabilitation; outpatient surgery and comprehensive outpatient services.