SWMC Auxiliary receives award

As stated in the Mariah Carey hit "Hero," - "Lord knows dreams are hard to follow. But don't let anyone tear them away. Hold on. There will be tomorrow. In time you'll find the way…"  And in the case of true heroes there is not just one person, but many who are there, not just in one instance, not just for one person – but for many of all ages and there time and time again.

So who really is a hero and how do we define one? Many may use the word hero repeatedly, never really contemplating the weight of that one syllable word. Some may argue that the word is overused and not aptly put on the right individuals. But to make that argument, one must have a clear definition of what a hero is.

The dictionary defines the word hero as "a person noted for courageous acts or significant achievements." If they are an unsung hero, then most likely their achievements or acts go by without much fanfare.

So, when it comes to significant achievements which have impacted many that go by quietly from day-to-day - the Southwest Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary comes to mind. This organization, which moved with the hospital in its inception in 1964 from the forerunner, Epworth Hospital, performs indispensable service to the facility and the local and surrounding communities.

The organization has touted anywhere from 160 to 250 members at one time. Of that number currently, approximately 80 take an active role. The dues alone paid by the members go each year towards health-related scholarships. The active members of the organization care for the Quiet Room, manage and staff a gift shop/snack area, deliver mail to the patients, "man" the information desk, take care of family waiting rooms and handle countless other important tasks for staff and patients each and every day. The money they raise through the gift shop – which averages from $20,000 to $30,000 each year - goes to the hospital through the purchase of much needed equipment and other items. These purchases have ranged from live-saving equipment that has helped thousands of patients to items that have assisted in making family members and patients more comfortable during their stay.

Each year, the volunteers provide more than 20,000 hours of uncompensated time to the hospital, saving the local not-for-profit facility thousands of dollars in their giving of time and energy. Equally important to the time given is the gift of love and assistance that goes to every patient as well as tireless support and constant encouragement to employees of the facility. This time they give willingly from their hearts found current active members being honored recently for that which they had given during their membership – time which added up to almost 100,000 hours.

They have been a large part of the success of the local hospital, which serves this and the surrounding communities, in being able to remain a facility not run by tax dollars.

In Mariah Carey's song she states, "Look inside you and be strong and you'll finally see the truth - that a hero lies in you." And that is what you will find in the hearts of the Auxiliary volunteers – a hero who goes above and beyond to help whenever and wherever they are needed.

Note: This is the nomination letter that was sent to the Southwest Daily Times during this year's Citizen of the Year and Unsung Heroes event.