News

By Trish Yerges, for Grande Ronde Hospital

This year, the Grande Ronde Hospital (GRH) Auxiliary celebrates 60 years of service to the hospital, its patients, visitors, and staff. The Auxiliary’s volunteers are often the first friendly faces people encounter at GRH, offering comfort and connection in moments that can feel stressful.
Hospital Liaison Calli Crippen-Evans, who has supervised the Auxiliary for nearly three years, trains and manages the volunteers who work at the front desk and in the hospital’s gift shop.
“We currently have 16 active hospital volunteers working in those two areas,” Crippen-Evans explained. “When you add in our chaplains and the No One Dies Alone (NODA) volunteers, that number grows even more, but we are always looking for more people to join us.”
The Auxiliary is led by President Fred Moore, who has served in the role for the past four years. The other officers are Vice President Garnet Shaw, Secretary Virginia Lackey, and Treasurer Debbie Riggle. The group meets monthly, except during the summer, and members make themselves available for duty assignments.
“We do what’s called wayfinding—helping people find their way around the hospital,” Moore said. “That’s been especially important with the new construction. We want to take the stress out of coming to the hospital and make people feel welcome.”
Auxiliary volunteers also operate the hospital’s gift shop, greeting shoppers, cashiering, and restocking. One Auxiliary member, Susan Hewitt, works in the gift shop two days a week.
“I work Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon, and another volunteer takes over in the afternoon,” Hewitt said. “I really love it, and I want everyone to know about the GRH gift shop. It gives me a purpose and a way to give back to the community.”
The gift shop offers a diverse selection of items, including stuffed animals, candy, candles, baby clothes, plants, and more, with the proceeds directly benefiting patient care. Over the years, the Auxiliary has raised more than $450,000, funding projects such as the new pre- and post-op patient care rooms in the hospital’s recent expansion.
A 60-Year History of Service
The Auxiliary’s history traces back to April 1965 when it was founded by Geraldine “Gerry” Braseth-Palmer (1931-2023). Their first project was cleaning the new hospital before it opened its doors, a job that earned the fledgling group $500.
Back then, the women wore pink-striped uniforms with caps, tended flowers, wrote letters for patients, and even assisted with feeding when needed. At its peak, the Auxiliary also oversaw a Junior Auxiliary called the “Stripettes,” who wore green-and-white pinafores and learned the value of service from a young age.
Today, the GRH Auxiliary continues its tradition of compassion and community connection. Though volunteer numbers dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, members are eager to rejuvenate their ranks and take on new opportunities.
“We need folks who are willing to come out and support the hospital by creating a welcoming environment,” Moore said. “Every volunteer we add helps make someone’s day a little easier.”
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, there is an application process that includes a background check, health screening, online training, and approval from the hospital’s executive council. New members receive on-the-job training and a warm welcome from fellow volunteers.
For more information, contact Hospital Liaison Calli Crippen-Evans at Grande Ronde Hospital.