PIONEER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

by Linda Sherman and Berniece Wadlow

Entry T62 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Pioneer Memorial Hospital 1961

Mr. John Motl called a meeting on Mar. 10,
1958, of the women of the Mullen, Nebr.
community, to explain the need for a Hospi-
tal Auxiliary organization.

Gussie Osborne was appointed temporary
chairman & Nellie Johnston as the temporary
secretary. Information was presented show-
ing that the main purpose of an auxiliary
would be, (1) volunteer services, (2) public
relations & (3) fund raising. A vote was taken
to organize a Hospital Auxiliary with the
main goals being to assist the hospital &
doctor in every way possible.

At the April 1958 meeting an official slate
of officers was elected - President - Bessie
Bradley; 1st Vice President - Bernadette
French; 2nd Vice President - Gussie Os-
borne: Secretary - Violet Kraye: Treasurer
- Gladys Long. The women were given 3
months to pay dues & be considered a
Charter Member of the Auxiliary. 73 women
were registered as charter members & of that
number about 30 have been members every
year, up to the present time.

The Auxiliary served the Alumni Banquet
in 1958, for $1.50 per plate & has continued
to do so every year with the price being
increased as necessary. In Aug. 1958 the
Auxiliary started the project of baking beans
for the community Bar-B-Que at County Fair
time & it is still one of the annual projects.
Rodeo programs were requested for the July
4th Rodeo in 1961 . The Auxiliary women
mimeographed the programs & formed a
committee in charge of selling them at the
rodeo grounds. That project was a short term
activity.

Other money making projects have been
(1.) serving lunch at ranch sales & the
community auction, (2.) serving other ban-
quets or dinners when requested, (3.) selling
chances on a donated pieced quilt. Some of
the community services have been (1.) assis-
ting with the Blood Mobile, (2.) providing a
scholarship for a Mullen senior who is
interested in some phase of health education,
(3.) providing dimes for prizes for Bingo
games at the Nursing Home, (4.) 3 auxiliary
members are regular helpers with the Bingo
games at the Nursing Home & others assist
when needed.

The Hospital Auxiliary, the same as many
other organizations, has struggled to stay
active, but in spite of declining membership
has remained active. It does not mean that
the Mullen women are not interested in the
health needs of the community. In a small
community there are so many worth while
organizations that the membership has to be
shared. The ladies are wonderful to help by
paying their dues & or volunteering to help
with projects even if they are not a member.

The Auxiliary helps provide for the needs
of the Nursing Home as the finances allow.
It has purchased mattresses, bed spreads &
draperies for patients rooms to help give a
home like appearance, also helped purchase
washers & dryers, a freezer, a TV for Nursing
Home Lounge, and X-Ray, heart monitor &
other needed equipment. As part of a project
for the Hospital & Nursing Home & the
entire community the Auxiliary has helped in
the care & beautification of the Hospital yard
by purchasing a lawn mower, fertilizer &
flowers for the flower beds & flower boxes.

The members of the Auxiliary are very
proud of their accomplishments, the loyal
members & are thankful for the help of
friends. It takes many interested women to
keep such an important, worthwhile organi-
zation active & also help by providing some
of the health needs of this community's
residents.