Hospital Auxiliary/Volunteers

The Whidbey General Hospital (WGH) Auxiliary is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated women and men to become members in any one of the three guilds on Whidbey Island that serve Whidbey General Hospital or as members at large of the Hospital Auxiliary. All people who volunteer at the hospital do so as members of the Auxiliary, either as a member of a Guild or as a member at large.

Guilds have been instrumental in the development of Whidbey General Hospital since 1957 when the idea of a hospital on Whidbey Island had just begun to take shape. When the hospital was dedicated in 1970, the guilds re-organized and the Auxiliary was formed. The Auxiliary and its guilds have since continued to play a vital role in healthcare and hospital services on Whidbey Island. At its annual Board meeting, the Auxiliary agrees to buy specific equipment items requested by the hospital with the monies it has raised through dues, gift shop sales, and special events. Many Auxiliary members belong to a guild that serves a specific area on Whidbey Island. Guild members meet once a month, pay $5.00 annual dues, and participate in fund-raising projects and/or as volunteers for the hospital. Each guild has it’s own social functions and money making projects. Listed below are the names of the guilds, their priority activities, and their geographic areas  (although, members in any guild might live anywhere on Whidbey Island .

• Dr. Paul Bishop Guild: Coupeville area. May or may not volunteer at the Hospital. To raise funds , the Guild will host and serve at an "Elegant Tea" held at the Compass Rose B&B, with the proceeds being donated to the hospital.
• Caritas Guild: Clinton and Langley. All members are floor volunteers on Fridays at the hospital.
• Polly Harpole Guild: Oak Harbor and Coupeville area. Some members of this guild volunteer at the hospital and hold several fundraising events throughout the year. The guild as a whole sponsors card parties and an annual auction/dinner.

Members-at-large and guild members are equally welcome in the hospital, where volunteer opportunities include greeting people entering WGH and helping them to their destinations, working in the Gift Shop, and working in almost every department in the hospital, including the South Whidbey Community Clinic in Clinton and the Whidbey General North clinic in Oak Harbor. Music volunteers, chaplains, pet partners and a clown stand out; all volunteers' contributions make a difference. Volunteers collectively donate thousands of hours of their time and effort every year helping patients, staff and visitors because they find it rewarding. Recipients of their efforts and all those who work at WGH are grateful

If an individual wishes to volunteer at the hospital but not become a member of a guild he or she can become a Member-at-Large of the Auxiliary. All individuals interested in volunteering should call Sally Fox, Volunteer Coordinator, 678-7656 ext 3246 or 321-7656 ext 3246.