The hospital Auxiliary presents an outstanding member of the organization with the Volunteer of the Year award each year.  For 2010, Ella Mueggenberg was chosen for the service she has dedicated to the hospital auxiliary. Ella is a familiar face, and has always been active filling in as a ‘sub’ in the Coffee Shop, often on very short notice. She has volunteered over 2,100 hours and, in 2004, took over the scheduling job for the Coffee Shop. As the 2010 Volunteer of the Year, Ella receives recognition for sharing her time and talents to benefit both the hospital and the Auxiliary.
 “Ella is a great example of the service that our volunteers provide”, said Gary Riedmann, President. “Our volunteers are clearly identified in the mission of St. Anthony as one of our most valuable resources, and we see that in so many ways.” 

Lifetime Achievement recognition was given for faithful volunteer service to 25-year auxiliary members. “These dedicated members have served our patients, families, visitors and employees. Their friendly faces and helpful ways have served as a guide and comfort to people who have come to St. Anthony for many years,” said Riedmann. Alice Eischeid and Ruth Brincks were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Recognition was also given to Auxiliary members who have donated their time and talents by serving in a variety of hospital functions. The hospital Auxiliary currently has ¬¬¬ 375 active members, who donated a total of 33,022 hours. Additional volunteers who are not auxiliary members serve in the hospice, nursing home, and pastoral care areas. “An accumulation of 339,083 volunteer hours, time and talent through 2010 have been donated by people who believe in the importance St. Anthony plays in the life our community,” said Riedmann. “We want to thank each volunteer for their service to St. Anthony and our community.”
Areas of volunteer service include:
Coffee Shop and Information Desk – 10,788 hours
Same Day Surgery – 755 hours
Radiology – 617 hours
Over 43 volunteers who knit or crochet made 369 blankets, and 86 prayer shawls, donating 13,650 hours of time to comfort patients and families at St. Anthony.
Call Tree and special events – 144 hours
Flower Ladies –volunteers who made silk arrangements to sell in the Gift Shop contributed 101 hours.
Siouxland Blood Bank – 102 hours from volunteers who baked cookies for the blood drives.
Tour of Homes - 332 hours
Bake Sale – 387 hours
Mailings – 83 hours
Gift Shop Buyers – 573 hours
Officers and committee meetings – 4,910 hours

Auxiliary Members receiving awards for cumulative hours:
100 Hours –Connie Boeing, Bernard (Gene) Darveau, Lisa Fangman, Jean Farner, Joan Hannasch, Kathy Hanson, Lois Houlihan, Joan Hutcheson, Linda Klocke, Chuck Mounce, Ann Lenz, Shirley Lutwitze, Don Templemeyer, Bev Tierney.
500 Hours – Alice Baumhover, Annette Baumhover, Jane Beidler, Sheila Burkett, Jeanette Eischeid, Marilyn Hoffmann, Marilyn Pletchette, Edna Schrad, Shirley Seaman, Marilyn Zimney.
1,000 Hours – June Bernholtz, Catherine Wittry, Rose Butler, DeEtta Bueltel, Kas Clausen, Theresa Scanlan, Vi Mulloy, Peggy Wilberding, Rita Pottebaum, Deb Porter, Betty Pollastrini.
2,000 Hours – Pearl Quandt, Judy Stockbridge.
4,000 Hours – Ruth Brincks, Audrey Weitl.
5,000 Hours – Maxine Huebner, Gin Schultes
Past auxiliary officers recognized for their leadership were: Co-Presidents, Pat Sanders, Marilyn Hoffman, Alice Baumhover, Peggy Wilberding, Sharon Collison, Kas Clausen, Deb Porter, Diane Hannasch; Secretary, Lucy Dostal, and Treasurer, Fran Pedelty were also honored.

Anyone interested in becoming an auxiliary volunteer is encouraged to call Stacey Vonnahme, 794-5287, Audrey Weitl, 792-6483, or Alice Baumhover, at 792-3091.