The Ladies Auxiliary to the hospital was organized in January of 1922 in the home of Mrs. L.C. Simmons. The purpose was to “aid the hospital” in all possible ways. It was agreed to include all ladies of Independence in attendance, then extended to all county memberships. Dues were 10 cents. The auxiliary appointed committees to help the organization be of use; such as purchasing, membership, cutting gauze, money raising and nominating.

A committee was appointed to draw up the constitution and by-laws. First meetings were held in the nurses’ parlors or the home of Mrs. Shellito. Under the leadership of Mrs. Bea Hersey from 1936-1940 the auxiliary purchased the first incubator at the cost of $166.60.

Fundraising through the years has been done by holding card parties dances, theatre, bake sales, bazaars, a dinner theatre and an auction.

Some of these monies were used to furnish rooms in the hospital, new drapes and bedspreads for the Nursing Care Center, equipment for the hospital and ambulance, furnishings for the Gift Shop and scholarships for college-bound students studying for some field in medicine. $12,400 was given to the hospital in 1989 for a Community Education Room and in 1990, a pledge of $25,000 was made for the new extended care building.

Auxiliary volunteers aid the hospital through immunization clinics, screenings, blood drives, junior volunteers, Gift Shop and extended care activities.

• In-service Volunteers (Hospital, Long Term Care and Public Health)
• Sponsorship of Junior Volunteers
• Scholarships for Buchanan County high school graduates and/or adults entering a health-related field or continuing their health-related education
• Community health education seminars and workshops
• Fundraising projects
• Hospital gift shop
• Immunization clinics
• Sewing and mending for Acute and Long Term Care
• Health & Fitness screenings
• Blood bank
• Lab/Radiology department receptionists