For more than 100 years, the members of Waldo County General Hospital Aid have helped to define the hospital as a place the community could turn to for compassionate and high-quality health care. From assisting in central registration to operating the hospital’s gift shop, these volunteers have brought comfort and cheer to our patients and care team members alike. We are a better hospital – and a healthier community – because they have been a part of our team. 

And so it was with great sadness that we learned that the WCGH Aid board of directors had reached the difficult and painful decision to recommend dissolution of the Waldo County General Hospital Aid effective Sept. 30, 2020.

We understand the reasons for the decision. Safety precautions around COVID-19 have prevented members from volunteering in the hospital, and there is no expectation that they will be able to return any time soon. In addition, the number of active members has dwindled over time, and new membership has waned as the pace of modern life leaves our younger residents little time to volunteer.

Rather than dwell on the sadness of this moment, I’d like to take a minute to celebrate Waldo County General Hospital Aid’s legacy of making a difference in the lives of their families, friends and neighbors.

Waldo County General Hospital Aid for formed in 1901 by a group of local citizens who believed that supporting their community hospital was the best way to promote the health and welfare of their community. Over the years, members raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, including $80,000 in the last five years to support the Waldo County Dental Clinic, the Oncology Patient Assistance Fund, the Cardiac Rehab Scholarship Fund, the Public Health Nurse Assistance Fund and the Employee Scholarship Fund.  

In addition, members performed numerous duties that have helped the hospital run smoother and lightened the load of the professional staff so they could more fully focus on patients. Those duties included, among other things:

• Holding monthly meetings on health care topics.
• Raising money for the purchase of medical equipment.
• Baking for events.
• Delivering flowers and mail to patients.
• Making crafts for the gift shop and tray favors for patients.
• Running errands.
• Volunteering at fundraising events.

We know that this was not an easy decision for WCGH Aid, but we hope its members will take great pride in their legacy of improving the lives of everyone in our community. They have made a profound difference, and we are all better for it. With our deepest appreciation, thank you.

Mark Fourre is president of Bay Medical Center | Waldo County General Hospital