Since its earliest days, the Jamestown Hospital Auxiliary has stood as a symbol of service, compassion and progress with purpose. What began as a group of 47 dedicated women in 1937 — sewing garments and making sick calls — has grown into a powerful force that has raised more than $500,000 in support of JRMC programs and services.
The Auxiliary’s history is woven into the very fabric of JRMC. Just two years after the hospital’s dedication in 1935, Administrator Gina Hanson gathered the presidents of local church aide societies to form the first Auxiliary. Members paid 50 cents in dues and got to work — sewing, fundraising, crafting scrapbooks and offering comfort to patients. At the time, the hospital’s south wing was still a dirt-floor shell used to store vegetables. Yet even then, a spirit of purpose and perseverance was already taking root.
The Auxiliary’s early initiatives were as practical as they were heartfelt. Members repaired bed linens, made children’s gown and helped stock the hospital pantry through the beloved annual Harvest Festival. Items donated ranged from canned goods to sacks of potatoes and even sewing machines. Over time, their traditions grew stronger — National Hospital Day celebrations, quarterly meetings and eventually the introduction of a Telecare program to support patients at home.
As the decades passed, the Auxiliary evolved to meet new challenges and opportunities. Though two separate auxiliaries served from 1937 to 1943 and again from 1952 to 1967, the current-day JRMC Auxiliary has been continuously active since 1973. Under the leadership of administrators like Emil Weiland, they established valued programs like the Gift Shoppe — still a beloved fixture at JRMC today. Now in its 52nd year, the Auxiliary continues to adapt and serve with the same heart and purpose. From purchasing vital medical equipment to supporting patient comfort items, their efforts remain essential to JRMC’s mission.
“We may be a group rooted in tradition, but we’re always looking ahead,” says Kay Hust, current Auxiliary president. “Our work matters now more than ever.”
As JRMC celebrates 90 years of caring for the community, the Auxiliary’s story is a reminder that progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s hand-stitched, home-baked or lovingly planted. The JRMC Auxiliary may have started with 50-cent dues and a borrowed sewing machine, but their impact has never been small. With every call made, garment mended and dollar raised, they carry their legacy forward — proof that when service is paired with purpose, its influence only grows.
As seen in the Summer 2025 AppleSeeds.