Crediting a solid volunteer crew of bakers, drivers and organizers, St. Andrews Auxiliary rolled out a tasty Valentine luncheon to thank the LincolnHealth medical staff across St. Andrews Village and St. Andrews campus. Several local businesses assisted in the effort to honor this hardworking, medical community. Southport General Store, Marcel’s Submarine Shop and House of Pizza all offered donations or discounts to support the Appreciation Day project.

Thanking the employees is an annual tradition for the Auxiliary which was founded in 1952. Just two years ago during the COVID-19 lockdown, the Auxiliary transformed the usual buffet luncheon into over 200 Christmas stockings filled with goodies that could be safely delivered to staff. Last Year they started the ‘Grab ‘n Go’ luncheon concept so that sandwiches could be prepared in one professional kitchen given ongoing Covid considerations. The ‘Grab ‘n Go’ lunch style was expanded this year with an array of homemade, pre-packaged cookies and candies.

Utilizing their expanded space at the new St. Andrews Auxiliary Thrift Shop in the center of the Meadow Mall, the all-volunteer shop offers bargains to customers and generates most of the Auxiliary’s funds. The extra workroom allows for simultaneous work on projects like holiday gifts to patients, bake sale fundraisers or Appreciation Day preparations .

Donations & Scholarships -  Last October the Auxiliary donated $63,800 for medical equipment at the St. Andrews Campus Wellness/Rehab, the MRI project at Miles Hospital, the Central Maine Community College/LincolnHealth Nursing School in Damariscotta and the Tufts Program to bring doctors to Maine. $16,625 was awarded 21-22 for their St. Andrews Auxiliary Scholarship Program and the Fran & Don Hale Scholarship Program to support eight students pursuing medical careers. Just this month, the Auxiliary added a new scholarship awarded to a LincolnHealth employee seeking Wound Care certification.

The St. Andrews Auxiliary Board of Directors would like to remind the community that scholarship applicants may be local graduating high school seniors, but could also be other community members interested in starting a new, medical related career or training to improve their skills or certifications.

For more information on St. Andrews Auxiliary activities, visit their ‘Volunteer Corner” at the Thrift Shop and talk to Auxiliary Co-Chairs of Volunteers, Judy Boyes and Toni Lorom. Thrift Shop Manager Carole McCarthy is also available for information to about the All-Volunteer organization.

Follow the Auxiliary on Facebook (St. Andrews Auxiliary – Thrift Shop) or You Tube – “St. Andrews Auxiliary.”

St. Andrews Auxiliary is the 2022. recipient of the Governor’s Maine Service Award – Outstanding Volunteer Program.