Volunteer – noun - a person who performs a service willingly and without pay

CROCKETT – According to the dictionary, a volunteer is a person who performs a service willingly and without pay. ETMC Crockett has about 51 people who fit that definition: the members of the ETMC Volunteer Auxiliary.

Volunteers are a vital part of the hospital and, in addition to operating the gift shop, they provide compassion to family members and friends of patients in the hospital.

ETMC Crockett Volunteer Auxiliary members John David Sepmoree, Jane Harkins, Lucy Benton, Norma Cormack and Ricky Gentzel pause for a photo in the gift shop.

Each year, money raised from the gift shop, as well as through various fundraisers including the Christmas in Crockett drawing and annual jewelry, baked goods and plant sales is used to fund six $1,000 scholarships for high school students who intend to pursue nursing school or a career in the medical field and two $500 scholarships to Angelina College Nursing School students.

Providng useful items
In addition, each year the volunteers purchase useful items such as wheelchairs, scales, thermometers and crash carts for use in the hospital.
ETMC Volunteer Auxiliary President Sue Garrett said, “This year the volunteers will celebrate their 50th anniversary. We are planning a wonderful event to commemorate a half-century of service to the community.”

What first began as the Houston County Hospital Auxiliary on Oct. 26, 1960 with candy stripers has evolved into a well-staffed, integral part of the hospital. According to a 1960 newspaper article, 21 women organized the auxiliary in a meeting held at the First Methodist Church. The article states, “The auxiliary is made up of women, who will serve without pay at the local hospitals. These volunteers will be filling water jugs, delivering juices, mail, arranging or watering flowers, provide reading material, read to the patients or make phone

ETMC Crockett Volunteer Auxiliary members Mattie Spencer and Max Borman take a moment in the cafeteria to pose for a photo.

calls to relatives, or even do errands and shop for them when it becomes necessary. They will fill a definite need in looking after the comfort of patients in the hospital. All work done will be under the professional people in the hospital. They will not take the place of a nurse, and in no way will be considered as nurses, but only will act as aids in doing the little odds and ends in helpfulness to the patient. The group will be trained in hospital ethics, also. At the meeting Wednesday, the group adopted the constitution governing a volunteer hospital auxiliary and the bylaws. They even selected their uniforms, which will be pink candy-striped cotton dresses.”

Candy Stripers
A candy striper is a concept that originated in the 1940s. The unique job title represented the candy cane look of the red and white-striped pinafores worn by the volunteers. East Orange General Hospital in New Jersey claims to have started the first candy striper program in 1944.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the popularity of candy stripers was widespread. In general, the goal of a candy striper was to make a patient's stay in the hospital more pleasant. Initially, a candy striper simply delivered mail or patient meals, but eventually the volunteers took on additional duties.

Uniform change
The historical records of the auxiliary indicate in 1969 the new hospital opened, and shortly after that the uniform was changed to a white blouse, white pants or skirt and a pink smock. The volunteers were then called the “pink ladies.” The attire changed to the ETMC Regional Healthcare System teal smock in about 1995.

This vintage photo highlights the first capping ceremony with Ruth Lewis and Nell Beasley in 1961.

Dedication is one of the many attributes the volunteers have in common. For example, over the past 10-11 years Max Borman has accumulated about 15,000 hours of volunteer time, and volunteer Ricky Gentzel has about 13,000 hours.

When asked what he likes most about volunteering, Borman said, “I like delivering the supplies and visiting with all the people.”
Volunteer John David Sepmoree worked in the hospital for 34 years and began volunteering in October 2009. Sepmoree started working at the hospital in the maintenance department when he was in junior high school and through the years advanced to the position of registered nurse. Now he volunteers in day surgery and admitting several days per week. “I enjoy volunteering because I love helping people,” he said.

ETMC Volunteer Auxiliary Second Vice President Judy Bane said, “The volunteers travel some distances to serve. They come from Centerville, Lovelady, Kennard, Weches, Augusta, Grapeland, Latexo and Crockett just to volunteer.”
Sally Christopher is known throughout the hospital for the work she does with the volunteers. For example, the fresh flowers seen on the volunteer desk or in the waiting room are her handy work. According to Christopher, who has coordinated the volunteer program for the past 10-12 years, she picks many of the fresh flowers from the plants she and others have added to the hospital courtyard.

One of the newest volunteer members
When asked about volunteering, one of the newest members of the organization, Mattie Spencer, said, “You have to have a heart for it and love people.”
On any workday you might find volunteers including Lucy Benton, Jane Harkins, Norma Cormack, Virgil Groat, and Nancy Lovell happily working away in the gift shop, making popcorn for visitors or comforting a patient or visitor.

Volunteer Jeanne McLeod said, “The program is always in need of new volunteers who are looking for a rewarding place to work and give back to the community.” For additional information about volunteering at ETMC Crockett call 546-4565.
Generally the volunteers work two-six hours per day; a couple of days per week.

“It’s the little things that make a big difference through the efforts of the volunteers,” ETMC Materiel Management Clerk Darlene Taylor said.

Originally posted June 25 2010