Contact Butler Health System Butler Health System Butler Health System
About BHS Featured Services Education BHS Foundation Careers News Physician Directory

BHS News
BHS Expansion
Press Releases
Health Scene

BMH Volunteers Recognized For More Than 26,000 Hours of Service

May 17, 2005 - (BUTLER, Pa.) – The Butler Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Junior Auxiliary (Candystripers) were honored by the hospital during a May tea for donating 26,800 hours of service to the hospital this past year.

Comprised of 354 women, men and young adults, the groups were saluted during the annual tea at the Butler County Club on April 15. Volunteer of the Year award winners were also announced.

Receiving the 2005 award for Auxilian of the Year was Edith Ford of Butler. The award for Candystriper of the Year was presented to Megan Saeler of Fenelton.

Ford joined the Auxiliary in the late 1980’s and has served more than 8,500 hours since that time. She joined the Auxiliary at the encouragement of her daughter who brought her here to apply as a volunteer. In the mid 1990’s Ms. Ford began to pick up more days and even recently became an Ambassador for the Auxiliary. She has spent many hours in the Hostess Shoppe where she greets customers and rings up their orders.

“My kids have asked me to move from my home into a more manageable apartment but I enjoy walking to the hospital to volunteer and I don’t want to give this up,” says Ford.

Saeler, daughter of Donald and Shirley Saeler of Fenelton, has been a Candystriper for four years. She is carrying on the family tradition of being a Candystriper. Her older sister was Candystriper of the Year in 2003 and her younger sister plans to join the organization in two years when she is eligible. Saeler is a senior at Butler Area High School and plans to begin her studies at Butler County Community College to pursue a career as physical therapist.The BMH Auxiliary includes 310 women and men. A separate program for those in high school, the Candystripers, has 44 members. Auxilians and Candystripers can be found helping throughout the hospital, including at the front information desk, the Cherry Tree Gift Shop, the Hostess Shoppe, radiology, the print shop, medical records, in the Transitional Care Facility, the emergency department, the outpatient surgery family waiting area, and the intensive care waiting room.

Auxilians also knit caps for newborns, assist with filing and mailing, contact clergy at a patient=s request, operate the hostess cart, register and photograph new babies and help with community projects such as health fairs and screenings.

Those interested in joining the Auxiliary or Candystripers can contact Kim Reamer, Director of Volunteer Services at (724) 284-4342.

More Information

For more information, contact John Righetti at 724-284-4864 or email Public Relations.

Notice of Privacy Practices | Site Use Agreement | Contact Us | Employee Login