St. Andrews Auxiliary has been awarded the Outstanding Nonprofit Volunteer Program for the Governor’s 2022 Service Awards, according to Auxiliary President Laura Zajdel.

The virtual ceremony with Governor Janet Mills from Augusta will be held Monday, April 25 at 6 p.m. See below for the You Tube link.

Following is the nomination statement for the Auxiliary by Dan Zajdel:

“The Boothbay region has a year-round population of 7,500 residents which swells to 25,000 in the summer. Starting as a hospital auxiliary in 1952, St. Andrews Auxiliary, an All-Volunteer, 130-member organization of men and women, has a long record of service to the community. Through our St. Andrews Auxiliary and Fran and Don Hale Scholarships, we have assisted area students seeking medical careers for a decade. This year we awarded $40,000 to 10 students. Last October we donated $57,133 for medical equipment and medical facility improvements at LincolnHealth’s St. Andrews Village and St. Andrews Campus. We have tried to combat the statewide nursing shortage by funding the Tufts Program, bringing doctors to Maine and the Central Maine Community College/LincolnHealth Nursing School.

“These programs are funded through membership dues, donations and mainly proceeds from our All-Volunteer St. Andrews Auxiliary Thrift Shop. Thousands of area residents ease their family budgets with bargain-priced clothing, household items, furniture and other necessities. The Thrift Shop funds hand-made seasonal gifts and meals to patients in Long Term Care as well as healthcare workers.

“Our volunteers are trained to work in patient activities and greet patients/families entering health facilities. Our Auxiliary Sewing Group created thousands of masks for school children throughout the COVID response in Lincoln County. From February- June of 2021, we volunteered over 600 hours at the LincolnHealth Boothbay Vaccination Clinic. As greeters, screeners and parking attendants, our volunteers were part of the LincolnHealth effort to vaccinate over 20,000 area residents.”

LincolnHealth President Cindy Wade, in a letter of support for the Governor’s Service Award, said the St. Andrews Auxiliary’s “work in the Boothbay region has brought joy, funds, outreach and resources during the most challenging time in the history of healthcare. Their commitment to the community, our healthcare organization, senior living services and team has been a bright spot during a stressful and emotional time. LincolnHealth holds great respect for our Auxiliary members.”

Scott Kennedy, director of development for MaineHealth/LincolnHealth, also submitted a letter of support for the award for the Auxiliary.

“St. Andrews Auxiliary volunteers do a wonderful job operating a Thrift Shop that provides affordable items for everyone in the Boothbay area, while at the same time raising funds to support programs and new medical equipment at LincolnHealth. In addition, many volunteers interact positively with patients and residents in the care of LincolnHealth’s Senior Services at St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor. LincolnHealth staff working in our nursing and assisted living facilities greatly appreciate the volunteers’ commitment to help them provide fun activities for everyone in their care. One of my roles is to serve as a liaison between the Auxiliary and LincolnHealth. It is a pleasure for me to observe how well-run and organized the board moves forward with their goal to serve as a leading volunteer organization helping to support healthcare initiatives in the Boothbay area.”

Auxiliary Officers include Laura Zajdel, president; Carole McCarthy, vice president; Kevin Bowler and Mary Lou Newstead, secretaries; and Paula Endicott, treasurer. Auxiliary Board Members include Judy Boyes, Irene Gerny, Sue Hochstein, Nancy Hurst, Linda Redman, Linda Clapp, Sarah Giles, Gloria Wakefield, Carol Osterman, Deb Moorefield and Sally Eastwood.

The You Tube link for the ceremony is: YouTube Link: https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FhvzPmmojpnE&data=05%7C01%7CKelsey.Preecs%40maine.gov%7C09e3899811ce48c2252b08da22eb7cf8%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637860692061846409%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FCKDZbQ2sJQoa%2FtpqnNwARdWLTjqAlOT9%2Bokmcp4iyY%3D&reserved=0