Over the years, many of you have surely visited spring and fall Rummage Sales for super bargains for your home and family - or attended Holly Days activities. Did you know that you were supporting our health center while you were enjoying the Service Auxiliary events?

Because Salina Regional's tower construction has left the Service Auxiliary without a home for its Spaghetti Dinner, the group has added Logo Sportswear, Book Sales, and other new projects to help fund its services.

The Auxiliary's primary fund-raiser remains the Gift Shop, which carries a variety of creative, trendy, and just plain fun gifts for our patients - or for YOU! New merchandise is added frequently, so put the SRHC Gift Shop on you downtown shopping list.

Dollars from these and other Service Auxiliary projects fund services that support and enrich the Health Center's mission. The past year, the group returned more than $46,000 in contributions to the Health Center and the Salina Regional Health Foundation. The primary and grateful recipients were:

• The Rebecca A. Morrison House for patient families
• Scholarships for students in healthcare studies
• The Salina Regional Health Foundation's Community Health Investment Program
• Aquarium Maintenance and other Guest Services for visitors of all ages.

--And hours contributed by members last year to earn funds and maintain services were valued at an additional $58,000!

With a membership totaling over 300 men and women, the Service Auxiliary is among our community's largest agency support groups. Annual dues range from $10 for General Memberships to $25 or more for Contributing Memberships. For $250, you can join the many others who are Lifetime Members and provide major direct support to the health center.

As a member, you receive news of Service Auxiliary activities and may participate in meetings, serve on committees, chair service or fund-raising projects, and hold office ... or you may choose to be a financial supporter rather than an active member. Whichever role you choose, membership unites you with a group of special, caring people maintaining and implementing a variety of comforts and services to our patients, their families and our community.

For further information about Service Auxiliary membership or volunteer opportunities, please call or email Jeannette at 785-827-4825 (garysalina@aol.com).

You may also call one of this year's other officers: Vice President Janet Wendland (823-9313), Secretary Sheri Becker (827-9019), Treasurer Carol Brandert (825-1696), or Immediate Past President Jeannette Butler (826-9654).

Volunteering is a Healthy Habit ... It's good for you, and it's good for our patients and visitors. --And Auxiliary membership is just a click away!

To join the Auxiliary now, please print the membership form, include your dues payment, check your area of special interest, and mail as requested. It's that quick to do something nice for yourself and good for our hospital and community.

Thank you for supporting the work of the SRHC Service Auxiliary!

Volunteering is a Healthy Habit... available through Service Auxiliary involvement! We invite you to join us!