The HELP!Line Center congratulates the Sanford USD Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary Gift Making Group on being named, together as a team, the July 2010 Volunteer of the Month Award winner! This award is sponsored by MetaBank.

Established in 1963, the Gift Making Committee made the first 50 red Velveteen Santa Stockings. The committee delivers the stockings one week prior to Christmas to newborn babies and their parents.  The stockings are large enough for the baby to fit into, and be taken home from the hospital.  Families are very excited about having a new addition to their family. Receiving the stocking to take their baby home is an extra special gift during the Christmas season.  One of our own Vice Presidents still has the stocking that she received when she was born at Sioux Valley over 50 years ago.

The tradition continues today because of the 14 women who come together once a month. The group adds tender loving care by hand stitching over 120 Christmas stockings each year. Many of the committee members have been involved for over 15 years, and say it is their love of sewing that keeps them volunteering once a month.  The women say they like to sew but also like to visit with the friends they have made within the group. 

One of the committee members said, “It gives me a good feeling to sew and help families celebrate the birth of a new baby.”

While many groups like the Auxiliary have dissolved because of lack of participation, the Sanford Auxiliary continues to move forward.  Nona Bixler and Angie Markstrom, who nominated the volunteers for the award, say they are very proud of this group for their dedication to service over many years.

MetaBank and the HELP!Line Center recently celebrated the group, giving each member a framed certificate, plus a letter from the Mayor of Sioux Falls. The group will also be honored at the Spirit of Volunteerism Awards next May.