Auxiliary
Gift Shop Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
MercyOne Centerville Auxiliary plays an important role in the hospital through various activities and services. Our Auxiliary, winner of numerous awards as the Iowa Hospital Association Auxiliary of the Year, provides services for patients and visitors.
Membership dues are $5 yearly or $50 for lifetime. Join today to experience exclusive Auxiliary Member perks throughout the year!
If you would like to join the Auxiliary please contact the Membership Chair, Carol Casteel at 641-647-2688.
Working Committees
- Bazaar: A long time tradition for the Centerville Auxiliary. Held each November with proceeds going directly to the hospital. Members are asked to contribute three items for sale at the Bazaar.
- Blood Drives: Host quarterly community blood drives.
- Ceramics: This group has created ornaments for over 20 years to be sold at the annual; Bazaar.
- Crafts: Workers meet Wednesday mornings to work on various craft projects to be sold at the annual Bazaar.
- Hospital Week Tea: During Hospital Week in May, the Auxiliary hosts a tea for colleagues. Auxiliary members provide homemade cookies, punch and coffee for this event.
- Hospitality: Each member is asked to contribute a salad once a year for the monthly luncheons. Cost of the luncheon is $2, but is free the month a salad is provided by the member.
- Newborn Caps: Crochet or knitted caps are made by members and given to all new babies born at the hospital.
- Newsletter: Published quarterly, this is an important tool used to get Auxiliary news out to the members as well as the community.
- Pediatric Tours: Tours of the hospital are given during Hospital Week for all area first graders. The tours are guided by members of the Auxiliary.
- Pins and Awards: Awards are given annually at the January luncheon to members in recognition for their volunteer hours during the year.
- Quilting: Each year a queen-sized quilt is created to be raffled off at the annual Bazaar.
- Valentine's Day Candy Sale: Held on Valentine's Day, proceeds from the sale of the homemade candy goes toward scholarships for individuals entering the medical field.
History
On March 10, 1903, a group of Centerville women met at the Drake Public Library and organized the Ladies' Hospital Auxiliary. A sum of $4,500 was donated for a hospital, but the group needed to raise $3,500 more to acquire the Peatman House on the corner of Main and Wall Street. After achieving this goal, Centerville's first hospital opened its doors on November 17, 1903, with "15 cots and room for some more if needed." This auxiliary subsequently disbanded.
In 1952, 18 volunteers, wives of the lay board, held an organizational meeting to help promote the new addition to the old hospital.
Sister Fabian was the administrator at the time and worked closely with the Auxiliary to recruit new members. The original 18 members held coffees in their homes and soon the membership was over 143. In January 1953, Sister Fabian presented the Auxiliary with its charter of organization. This organization was known as the St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. In July 1999, St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital became MercyOne Centerville Medical Center and the volunteer organization became MercyOne Centerville Auxiliary.
Because of the foresight the founders had, the MercyOne Centerville Auxiliary has become an important part of the community by remaining strong and active for over 60 years – a heritage that members are proud to proclaim.
Auxiliary Scholarship
To apply for the MercyOne Centerville Auxiliary Scholarship, please fill out the below forms and send to Barbara Brown at barbara.brown004@mercyoneiowa.org:
