History of the Palo Alto County
Hospital Auxiliary
by Joan Martin, PACH Auxiliary
Historian
The Palo Alto Memorial Hospital Auxiliary was organized in 1957. Mrs. Carl Klingaman served as the first President for the group's 600 members.
A certificate of Institutional Membership of the American Hospital Auxiliary of the Iowa Association was granted May 25, 1959.
The Auxiliary's membership swelled to 1020 in 1962, after the membership became part of the Unifund Drive. This all happened just in time to welcome 7000 people to an Open House at the newly constructed Palo Alto County Hospital in October 1965.
Known since then as the Palo Alto County Hospital Auxiliary, the group is a true county endeavor with all areas of the county represented on the Board. The Auxiliary Board meets monthly from September through May, and two general meetings are held annually. The meetings have served as a forum during which members plan their activities.
Sewing and mending were early services of the Auxiliary, as well as tending a service cart of personal items and the library cart, handling rentals for patient room televisions, assisting the American Red Cross Blood Mobiles, training candy stripers, delivering Meals on Wheels, assisting the Snack and Gift Bar, and awarding scholarship funds for students in the health care field. Additionally, daily Telecare services was initiated and convenient vending machines were made available.
Through its annual membership drives and various fund raisers, the Auxiliary has made numerous contributions for hospital supplies and upgrading equipment for all departments, including cardiac monitory equipment and Infant Care Station and Fetal Monitoring. The Auxiliary also provided numerous furnishings throughout the hospital, including pictures, drapes, landscaping and plantings.
In addition to the Annual Fall Bazaar and Bake Sale and the Spring Salad Luncheon, volunteers of the Palo Alto County Hospital Auxiliary have promoted many projects since 1957, including hosting style shows and brunches. The Auxiliary contributed toward the building of the Ronald McDonald House for children in Iowa City from their sale of cookbooks. Members participated in the Health Fair Information and Screening Booth in addition to donating infant car seats and promoting their use; sponsoring card marathons and supporting benefit auctions and various events for the American Heart Association; and actively participating in the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.
While some of these services have been discontinued in recent years, the Palo Alto County Hospital Auxiliary, with current membership of 425, remains a very strong supporter of the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Anyone is welcome to join the Palo Alto County Auxiliary. The Auxiliary meets on the third Wednesday of each month, except in the summer, at 1:30 P.M. in the hospital education room. In addition to the officers, special committee members and representatives from each town in the county make up the executive board. This is an excellent group of women who donate their time and skills in order to benefit the local hospital.