CCMH Celebrates Auxiliary Volunteers in Honor of National Volunteer Week
April 25, 2025
CARROLLTON, Mo. – National Volunteer Week is observed annually during April and this year it is observed from April 20-26. This week-long celebration is about placing a spotlight on inspiring figures whose compassion and generosity through volunteering are bettering the community and our world in general.
In celebration, Carroll County Memorial Hospital held their annual volunteer appreciation event on Tuesday, April 22, where they recognized the service of the Auxiliary volunteers. This year’s theme was, “Volunteers Help Us Bloom.”
“We are extremely grateful for the dedicated group of volunteers we currently have,” said Kate Bonderer, CCMH Director of Community Relations and Auxiliary Liaison. “In addition to greeting and guiding patients as they enter our doors, our volunteers are always working hard behind the scenes to come up with new ways to create a better patient experience.”
Examples of items the Auxiliary volunteers make for CCMH patients include:
- Children’s Activity Bags
- Eyeglass Cases
- Blankets and Quilts
- Comfort Pillows for Adults
- Comfort Critters for Children
- Sensory Aprons
- Pocket Prayer Quilts
- Bowl Cozys
As a group, the Auxiliary contributed a combined total of 3,024 hours over the last year. Kate Bonderer presented awards including 100-hour pins and Star Volunteer pins for those who have contributed more than 100 hours or five years of service. CCMH CEO Scott Thoreson provided a hospital update and expressed his appreciation of their service.
Special recognition was made in honor of the late member Jane Ross. She passed less than a month before the event and was most known in the group for her talent of baking. She could always be counted on to bring baked goods for blood drives.
Other components of the event included refreshments, gifts, a slideshow, sharing the group’s accomplishments over the last year and positive comments from hospital staff.
“Senior Life Solutions cannot thank the auxiliary enough for the donation of our loveseat for our individual therapy room,” said Mindie Stovall, Director of CCMH Senior Life Solutions program. “We opened the room for use on April 1 with patients. They have stated that it is a warm, welcoming space and allows them to relax due to the safety and comfort they feel in this room. This could not have been possible without your assistance. It was always a dream of mine to convert an office into a therapy room that felt less ‘clinical’ but more ‘home-like.’ With your donation, my dream was able to come to fruition. The auxiliary is an integral part of our organization. We thank you again for being a part of our renovation and I know our patients will enjoy this space for years to come.”
“Our current group of volunteers consists of 22 individuals who love helping others and having a sense of purpose,” Bonderer said. “If you know someone who might be interested in volunteering at CCMH, please contact me at 636-733-6918.”
For more information about the services at Carroll County Memorial Hospital, visit our website http://www.carrollcountyhospital.org or call 660-542-1695.
Carroll County Memorial Hospital (CCMH), the area’s premier healthcare resource, is a 25-bed Critical Access facility serving Carrollton and the surrounding communities. It offers 24-hour emergency care, specialized services such as advanced diagnostics, post-acute skilled care (swing bed) and comprehensive family care. CCMH is dedicated to the Health and Well Being of All We Serve. For more information, visit carrollcountyhospital.org.