(11/24/10) – The McLeod Medical Center Dillon Volunteer Auxiliary held its annual meeting on November 10, 2010 at the Twin Lakes Country Club in Dillon, SC. Officers were named to serve in leadership roles for the upcoming year. The officers for the 2011 year will be Beth Rouse, President, Patti McInnis, Vice President, Christine Carmichael, Treasurer, Linda Dutton, Secretary, Thelma Ann Burns, Director, and Jan Austin, Director.

The Hospital Auxiliary promotes McLeod Medical Center Dillon through its volunteer efforts. Volunteering many hours per month, they operate the Pink Dogwood gift shop and give of their time at hospital functions, in the Cardiac Rehab Department, in the hospital’s front lobby welcoming visitors and at Red Cross blood drives among many other events throughout the year. Proceeds from the gift shop and several other annual fundraisers have been used to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment and other items that enhance patient care for McLeod Medical Center Dillon. The Auxiliary members have established a scholarship fund to encourage deserving individuals in Dillon County to further their education in health-related careers.

During the 2006 year, the Volunteer Auxiliary provided two $1000 scholarships, pledged a donation to the McLeod Hospice program and purchased a pediatric crib, a rocking chair and bariatric scales. Their contributions during the 2006 year totaled $10,000.

Through hard work and determination, the Volunteer Auxiliary was able to provide items that totaled $14,111.75 in 2007. In the 2007 year, they provided two $1000 scholarships, pledged to the McLeod Hospice program and to the McLeod Mobile Mammography Unit, and purchased two rocking chairs, three sleeper chairs for patient rooms, a Nu Step TRS4000 and an Arm Bike for Cardiac Rehab and Physical Therapy patients.

During the 2008 year, the Volunteer Auxiliary provided two $1000 scholarships, purchased three sleeper chairs for patient rooms that add to the comfort of friends and family members of patients, pledged a donation to the McLeod Hospice renovation project on the McLeod Dillon campus, fulfilled a pledge made to the McLeod Hospice House, and contributed the Literacy for Newborns project that the Auxiliary works on in conjunction with the Dillon County Library. Their contributions during the 2008 year totaled $11,888.86.

During the 2009 year, the Volunteer Auxiliary provided two $1000 scholarships, purchased three staxi chairs for transport of patients, completed pledged donations to the McLeod Hospice renovation project on the McLeod Dillon campus and the McLeod Hospice House in Florence, and continued the Literacy for Newborns project that the Auxiliary works on in conjunction with the Dillon County Library. The Auxiliary won second place in the SC Association of Hospital Auxiliaries (SCAHA) competition for special projects for the Literacy for Newborns project. The Auxiliary launched a baby box project for stillborn babies in 2009. In March 2009, the Coastal District Auxiliary Workshop was hosted by the McLeod Dillon Auxiliary at the City of Dillon Wellness Center. This event was a great success. Their contributions during the 2009 year totaled $10,849.08.

During the 2010 year, the Volunteer Auxiliary provided two $1000 scholarships, purchased a blanket warmer for the Radiology department, two sleeper chairs for patient rooms, and continued the Literacy for Newborns project that the Auxiliary works on in conjunction with the Dillon County Library. Groundbreaking was held in March for the new Emergency Department. The Auxiliary generously pledged $25,000 to the "One Vision, One Future" campaign for this expansion for our hospital. Their contributions during the 2010 year totaled $10,865.41.

The support of the Volunteer Auxiliary provides McLeod Dillon with items that improve the hospital experience for both patients and their family members.

For information on joining the Volunteer Auxiliary, please contact the Administration Office of McLeod Medical Center Dillon at 774-1381.