The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The Medical Guild Auxiliary was established in 1965. The new officers this year are President, Lisa Sipler, Joleen Williams is the Vice-President, Reggie Jappe is the Treasurer and Lisa Genereux is the Secretary. They don’t really have a membership anymore because they changed the by-laws so whoever comes is considered a member. Sipler and Jappe were so encouraged by a few senior members of our community, Edna Bitz, Barb Dixon, Roberta Whetham and Coralee Welty when they attended the luncheon to help plan the Rummage Sale. They still care about our community and willing to work even though it is hard work. Sipler and Jappe are hoping to get more members to join the Auxiliary. This year’s sale will be Oct. 4th-5th. Set up will be Oct 1-3 starting at 9:00 and ending at 5:00 except on the 3rd which will end at 1:00.

They are looking for more people to help, especially some men as it is hard work, working on cement and lifting all day. Also, anyone can bring a pie to sell. They have no idea how many people make pies. They encourage all the staff at the hospital to make a pie, and all auxiliary members, and the residents of the Big Sandy Nursing home make pies as well. According to Lisa Sipler, “the public just keeps bringing them in.” They are also looking for donations for the raffle. “We want more items that will tempt people to buy a raffle ticket.”

In the last eight years, they have raised $85,000 and with grants the Auxiliary has raised $130,000. “It’s amazing! It’s all for the residents. Everything there is to help take care of our older members of the town,” said Leah Grubb, Big Sandy Medical Director. Every year they ask all department heads to bring in their request of what they need. This year’s money will be used to purchase a new EKG machine which will cost $5,000. The hospital, clinic, the ER, and the Nursing home will all be able to utilize the purchase. The other requests were a new riding lawn mower, new tires, and a new housekeeping cleaning cart. Also, the kitchen and activity room have not been touched or remodeled since 1985. They are hoping to do as much as they can.

The Auxiliary does more than just the annual garage sale. This year Shirley Pearson, Francis Ostrom, Margaret Grubb, Dilly Evans, and Martha Pleninger have made a quilt which they will be also raffling off at the Christmas Stroll They put on a pie social at the Nursing Home and are looking at a variety of other meaningful activities, which is why more involved members are needed.

Lisa Sipler would like to thank Big Sandy Activities for storing all the extra unsold items left over from the first annual all town garage sale.