GRMC Auxiliary presents awards at luncheon 091218

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

Gila Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Taffy Arias welcomed the Auxiliary members to a luncheon and awards ceremony at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018.

"What makes up 24 hours a day in time?" Arias asked and answered. "Each hour has 60 minutes; each minute, 60 seconds. How many years are in our lives? At most about 110. When we break it down to the minute, it's still a piece of our lives. Whatever makes up a day in the life of a human being, we need to be very proud of what we did that day. It is a finite period of time. We know that our years are finite, but we don't think about an hour. You here are all volunteers. You do not get paid, so there is no dollar value to your work. But you have a value that is insurmountable. Nothing is more precious than the day of your life that you give to our hospital, our patients, our caregivers and our community. Help us celebrate this day of joy."

Chaplain Bill Holguin gave the invocation. "Lord, thank you for the faithful service that this family of auxilians gives us every day. Lord, send us the power to continue to do this until we are 110. Bless this food that will nourish us. Thank you. Amen."

GRMC Chef David Peck said: "This food is never good enough because you all do so much. The menu is salad, pumpkin soup (to a cheer from the auxlians), and a choice of entrée between boeuf bourguignon and chicken cordon bleu, with glazed carrots and a double-baked potato. Dessert, you get both, are a three-berry compote and chocolate mousse. Chef Chad Malo has done most of the work."

The Auxiliary at present has 67 members. About 40 attended the event.

Pat Gaerttner and Eileen Smith received awards for their 6500 hours of service each. Gaerttner said she primarily works in the emergency room and at the front desk. Although she was doing the service three days a week, she has cut it to two days a week. Smith is an officer of the organization and works primarily in the gift shop.

Past President Frances Day received the Auxilian of the Year award. "Nobody does anything alone," she said. "This award belongs to all of us. I see so much talent and each of you serving in your own way. It's an organic organization, and I salute all of you."

After the luncheon and awards were completed, Peck did a demonstration of RADA Cutlery, which is a fundraiser for the organization and will be available for purchase in the gift shop, run by the Auxliary.