Rideout Hospital Auxiliary celebrates 60 years today
Jan Casey’s passion for volunteering started decades ago when she was hospitalized for depression.
Her doctor told her she needed to get out of the house and get involved in the community. So she did.
Casey has been a volunteer for the Rideout Hospital Auxiliary for 35 years, helping raise funds for the hospital and for scholarships, as well as providing support to patients’ families. She’s now the president.
“It was very wise, that doctor... because that’s just what I needed,” Casey said. “It got me out of myself.”
For years the auxiliary provided hospital support by writing letters, making phone calls, running errands, and taking flowers to patients. But now, they are much more hands-on and act as liaisons between visitors and surgical staff, Casey said. They also provide support in the gift shop, floral design, and the Vial of Life and Patient Comfort programs. Most of all, they’re there for those who need someone to listen to them.
“All of our ladies are ready to do that, to lend a sympathetic ear,” Casey said.
The Rideout Hospital Auxiliary formed in 1958 with 33 women with a common interest to give service; the first president was Sherry Hall, according to a Rideout press release.
The service group’s 60th anniversary will be celebrated today (Thursday) with a luncheon at Peach Tree Golf and Country Club.
Since its inception, Rideout Hospital Auxiliary members have served 835,735 volunteer hours and have presented the hospital monetary gifts to purchase medical equipment that will provide more comfort for the patients and ease the work of staff, according to the release. In its 60 years, volunteers have raised around $900,000 in funds for the hospital.
Marlene Dorsey has been an Auxiliary volunteer for 29 years. In addition to helping out the hospital, patients and families, Dorsey said she appreciates the friendships she’s made over the years.
“I just love everything I’ve done here,” she said, “that’s what’s kept me going.”
She said when families or patients come in and are having a bad day, it’s especially rewarding to talk and give them a hug of support.
“We like to be there to listen to them,” Dorsey said. “It’s pretty hard to put into words the good feeling you get when you leave after something like that happens.”
Casey said she encourages other residents to join the auxiliary and lend support to Rideout and its patients as a way of serving the community as a whole.
“I love the auxiliary,” she said. “It’s a beautiful part of my life. I’m so thankful for all those reasons.”
For more information on the auxiliary, call 7494533.
Law enforcement officers from Yuba-sutter agencies take part in the Regional Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony on Wednesday. Yuba County Sheriff Steve Durfor honors fallen officers during the Regional Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony.
It was a somber mood Wednesday as members from all Yuba-sutter agencies came together to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
The Yuba City Police Department American flag flew at half-staff, and Yuba City Police Commander Tom Tappe read the names of past Yuba-sutter fallen officers.
Assistant Chief Jeremy Garcia read the names of those killed last year: Keith Boyer of the Whittier Police Department; Michael Foley of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office; Lucas Chellew of south Sacramento California Highway Patrol; Jason Garner of Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office; Robert Rumfelt of Lake County Sheriff’s Office; Robert French of Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office; and Andrew Camilleri Sr. of Hayward Area CHP.
Yuba City Lt. Jim Runyen said it’s important to always remember those who died while serving their communities.
“Taking the time once a year to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice is important to us,” Runyen said in an email Wednesday. “It shows those affected by the loss of a spouse, father, mother or friend that we will never forget the price they paid.”
As the fallen officers’ names were called, officers from the YCPD, Marysville Police Department, Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, CHP, and Beale Air Force Base carried roses to a table to honor their memory. One wreath represented fallen officers, and another represented fallen military members. The ceremony also included a flag detail and rifle salute.
Marysville Det. Sgt. Nelson Magana also spoke of the importance of paying respect to those who put their lives on the line.
“We know that we wake up to do this job every day not knowing what could happen,” Magana said. “It’s important to reflect and to continue to help each other out.”