Auxiliary donates homemade face masks to hospital employees for COVID-19

Members of the Boone Memorial Hospital Auxiliary donated homemade face masks to hospital employees. The Auxiliary members, who have been unable to volunteer since the COVID-19 pandemic began, said they wanted to help.

"Since we aren't actually able to volunteer in person at the hospital right now, due to safety concerns with COVID-19, we still wanted to do something," said Sandy K. Scott, Auxiliary President.

Sandy, along with fellow Auxiliary members Diana Dunlap, Judy Michael and Teresa Hubbard have made 233 masks to date.

"Even through a few injuries, we kept going," said Sandy. "It took us one full week to make the masks."

Members of the Auxiliary have been part of the hospital's history for over 50 years.

"They are a staple of our facility," said hospital CEO, Virgil Underwood. "The masks are greatly appreciated," he said. "While the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends that healthcare providers wear surgical face masks, patients are being asked to wear a cloth face covering like the ones being made by our Auxiliary. This gracious donation allows us to continue in our efforts to provide in-person care."

Mr. Underwood's Administrative Assistant, Lisa Brown, is coordinating mask collection and distribution at the hospital.

"The employees love the masks," said Lisa. "You can tell the Auxiliary put a lot of time and effort into making them. They have a variety of colors and patterns to choose from," she said.

Fabric to create the face masks was donated by Town Square Fabric, located in Danville.

The Auxiliary is comprised of over 50 members who volunteer their time and energy weekly at Boone Memorial. They manage the hospital gift shop and conduct service projects within the community.

"We are partnering with the VFW Auxiliary to make lap quilts for Boone Memorial Hospital patients this Christmas," said Sandy. "We also give eight total, $500 scholarships to Boone County students who are going into the medical field."

"We are lucky to have a wonderful group of caring volunteers in our hospital," said Lisa.

"They haven't been here since March 12th because of the pandemic and they are so missed.

We are used to them being here and it's not the same without them."

The feeling among Auxiliary members is mutual.

"We miss the staff and patients," said Sandy. "We can't wait to come back. In the meantime we will do what we can to help from a distance," she concluded.