Fifty Years of Keeping Things “In The Pink”

Hospital Auxiliary celebrates fifty years of service at Jackson Hospital By Sid Riley

The local “Pink Ladies” began assisting visitors, patients, and the hospital staff at Jackson Hospital in 1959, with Livy Hightower as the first President. This week they celebrated that accomplishment.

The current President of the organization is Elizabeth Saunders. Her mission statement as President includes the auxiliary meeting the needs of all those involved including physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The goal is to create a positive, caring environment for all who enter the hospital. “We seek to promote love and hope in every heart of each individual who demonstrates a need for assistance or support,” Elizabeth states emphatically.

The Pink Ladies Motto is

“Without God We Can Do Nothing”.

The Jackson Hospital Auxiliary currently has fifty two members. Officers and Directors meet monthly, and there are four general membership meetings during each year. It is a self governing organization of volunteers who render service to the hospital and the patients and their families.

Through the years, the Auxiliary has constantly provided logistical and financial support to the hospital and the medical community. They have done everything from renting hospital beds and wheel chairs, assisted in inoculation and screening programs, provided gift shop carts visits to rooms, in the hospital, manned the reception desk, escorted patients, managed the gift shop, provided nursing scholarships, sponsored the candy striper program for young girls ages 14-18, and assisted the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. They have answered every perceived need for their help at the hospital.

Last year the Auxiliary volunteers donated 8,919 hours of their work time to the hospital. All in the spirit of Love and Giving!

During the reception celebrating fifty years of service, two members were recognized for their many years of continuing involvement in the organization. They were Hilda Brawley and Pat Ouzts.

So, the next time you enter the lobby at the Hospital and the pretty lady dressed in a pink smock greets you, please give her a big smile and tell her how much you appreciate what they do. A “thank you” goes a long way.