OHH Auxiliary Meeting

Olney Hamilton Hospital and Seymour Hospital Auxiliaries hosted the TAHV District 6 Meeting on Monday, October 17th and it turned out to be a great experience for 10 out of the 17 hospital auxiliaries that were able to attend. Working together, the two auxiliaries hosted 63 volunteers, one of which was from Andrews, TX which is out of our District. We also had 5 guests. The Texas Association of Healthcare Volunteers (TAHV) President, Sue Kaulfus from Seguin, and President Elect Lynda De-Masco, form Kerrville were in attendance. Nita Hearne, Olney Hamilton Hospital Auxiliary President introduced the 2 additional TAHV Board Members present, Janice Allen (from Abilene) and Judi Winslow (from Olney), as well as the Past Presidents, Nancy Hays and Mary Braddock (both from Graham), and Judi Winslow (Olney). President Elect Lynda DeMasco gave the “Thought of the Day” after a very informative welcome by our hospital CEO Michael Huff. TAHV President Sue Kaulfus gave her President’s Address, explaining why she chose her theme “Volunteers Bloom Where They Are Planted”, and her platform, Parkinsons Disease. On display was a table with many Parkinsons booklets and handouts. Her pin displays the yellow rose of Texas, both because it represents Texas, and it also represents “friendship”.

Roll Call was called by Lynda DeMasco, which allowed each Auxiliary President to share what activities they participated in at their hospitals, and what fundraisers and activities in their communities. The thing about volunteering is that we can always help one another and learn from each other.

Our first speaker was Olney’s Chief of Police Dan Birbeck, who gave an outstanding presentation on ‘Active Shooter Training’. If you haven’t been to this training, don’t pass it up!! It was amazing, and our Chief has traveled all over the country to present this program to schools, organizations, and communities. It was surely a learning experience.

Pastor Harrell Braddock of the Olney United Methodist Church delivered the invocation before the luncheon, and the “Piano man” (Greg Buenger from Newcastle) played piano and sang for everyone during the lunch hour. Following lunch, Clara Gibson, Seymour Hospital Auxiliary President introduced her hospital CEO, Leslie Hardin, who, after a short but meaningful message, introduced Marcia Ligon. Marcia instructed on physical and breathing exercises to improve the health of those who are active or not so active. It gave everyone energy for the afternoon. The afternoon speaker was Dr. Sheila Carley- Harris who practices in Wichita Falls and is a chiropractor trained in Chinese medicine and acupuncture. She presented a very meaningful program on choices for health and thriving rather than just existing as one ages. It was good for all ages and very positive for anyone desiring to maintain maximum health.

Thanks to the generosity of merchants and individuals in both Olney and Seymour and beyond, there were many door prizes and welcome bags for the District Meeting participants. After a final prayer from Clara Gibson from Seymour, the meeting was adjourned. The two auxiliaries have become friends through the joint preparation and execution of this meaningful meeting and couldn’t have been successful without such great helpers as Donna Sullivan, Nita Hearne, Glenna Stennett, Pam Farmer, Margie Snyder, Rita Choat, Phyllis Whitsitt, Ellen Hardin, and Judi Winslow from Olney and Clara Gibson, Kay Bradley, Kathy Moore, Jane and Raymond Prisk, and Vivian Hart from Seymour.