Auxiliary at Northwest Medical Bentonville garners award

The volunteer auxiliary of Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville won the American Hospital Associations (AHA) award for volunteer excellence for their “Sock-It-To-Me” program collecting over 2,000 pairs of new socks for disadvantaged children in the community.
 
“We are thrilled to receive this award for a program inspired by the real childhood experience of one of our volunteers, “ JB Johannsen, president, volunteer auxiliary said.  “There was a time in her childhood during which she said, ‘Happiness was a new pair of socks.’  We were so moved, we took up the cause with a great shared enthusiasm.”
 
The formal awards ceremony was be held on May 5 in Washington, DC at the American Hospital Association’s 2014 annual meeting where Johannsen accepted the award on behalf of the local volunteer auxiliary.
 
The 2014 drive will generate donations of children’s underwear which is a much needed item for this underprivileged population.
 
“We feel blessed to be able to come together to help the children in our community in this way,” Cindy Sadler, volunteer Coordinator, Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville said. “Our volunteers not only give our patients their time and kindness, they then extend that generosity of spirit to the community!” “Our employees and now even some of our patients who have heard about the drive are giving to help us buy more for the kids,” she said.