Hospital Volunteers Celebrate 60 Years of Service in Illinois

Sixty years ago, 15 women gathered in a hospital waiting room with a simple but powerful belief: healing happens through more than medicine alone.

That February 1966 meeting sparked something extraordinary. By May of that same year, 91 women had joined what would become the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary in Mount Vernon, Illinois. On Monday, the city celebrated this volunteer organization's 60th anniversary with a special proclamation and luncheon.

"For six decades, our volunteers have given the most meaningful gifts of all: time, kindness, patience, and presence," said Rhonda Edmonson, Regional Director of Volunteer Services for SSM Health of Southern Illinois. These gifts show up in quiet hospital hallways, busy entrances, and patient rooms where comfort matters most.

Mount Vernon Mayor John Lewis had personal reasons to celebrate. He recently completed cardiac rehabilitation at the hospital and called it a "fantastic experience." Before reading the proclamation declaring April 20 as "SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary Day," he thanked the organization for saving his life.

The Auxiliary's impact reaches far beyond patient comfort. The volunteer group has funded essential medical equipment, educational programs, and healing spaces throughout the hospital. They manage the gift shop and Bargain Box thrift store, organize fundraisers, and award scholarships to high school students pursuing healthcare careers.

Why This Inspires

This story proves that small acts of service create lasting change. What started as 15 women in a waiting room became a movement of hundreds who've shaped healthcare in their community for generations. Their secret? Understanding that a smile, a helping hand, and a comforting presence are as vital to healing as any medical treatment.

Damon Harbison, President of SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, captured it perfectly: "Because of you, patients have felt comforted during their most frightening moments. Because of you, families have found reassurance in times of uncertainty."

Now the Auxiliary is inviting a new generation to join this tradition of compassion. Whether you have a few hours a month or want a meaningful way to stay connected to your community, there's a place for you. The door that opened in 1966 remains wide open today.