‘You get more than you give’

The Hospital Auxiliary in Owatonna may well be one of the largest volunteer organizations in Steele County, but it is sounding the alarm as it faces a crisis of volunteer shortage.

Prior to COVID-19, the Auxiliary boasted a strong network of 200 volunteers. But the COVID restrictions over the past few years forced many volunteers to quit, and as of this month that number has dropped to 116.

“We’re losing more on the back end than what we are bringing in,” said Deb Buck, who organizes the Auxiliary’s volunteers. “That’s just not sustainable.”

Dave and Gloria Kenow are one of the couples who have been volunteering with the organization for the past 15 years at Allina Health’s Owatonna Hospital.

“There is something about the Auxiliary that’s special,” said Gloria Kenow. “It’s fun, food and fellowship. I love it—it’s giving back.”

Another couple that enjoys volunteering at the hospital is Al and Bernie Ideker. They have been at it for the past 12 years.

For Al Ideker, it’s all about “the internal gratitude you get for doing something for others.” He said he especially enjoys the “warm fuzzies” he gets from patients like the youngsters who offers High Fives after getting shots.

Ideker started volunteering at the Hospice House before transitioning to the Auxiliary. “It’s almost like a duty to give back, and I enjoy it,” he said.

He and his wife, Bernie, enjoy working together at the front desk. They say their partnership allows them to offer to take visitors wherever they need to go while the other stays at the front desk. “It’s so much more effective than giving them complicated directions of where to go,” Bernie said. “To me, that’s so cold.”

They said it’s entertaining at times to see what they run into. For example, one time a man came up to Al to whisper that he needed a colonoscopy. Not missing a beat, Bernie overheard them and told the visitor, “I just got one of them.”

Twelve years ago, Melanie Knutson started volunteering once a month at the gift shop before she retired. Her mother was also a volunteer at the hospital.

The Auxiliary has been around since 1957 when it started operating the gift shop at the old hospital, according to Buck. The group’s mission, she said, is to serve the hospital by donating time and talents to support community healthcare scholarships as well as unfunded hospital needs.

Areas that volunteers provide support within the hospital are front desk, same day ambulatory surgery desk, Courage Kenny, Mom/Baby Café, blood drives and Coffee and Gift Shop.

Buck said the Auxiliary has had a far-reaching impact in the area since its inception. The group has donated more than $425,000 to the hospital for unbudgeted needs since 1957 and more than $300,000 has been awarded in scholarships. This spring, the Auxiliary will award $21,800 in scholarships from money raised last year. The scholarships go to area students majoring in a medical degree program.

One of the largest fundraisers the group hosts is the Festival of Tables, which will be held next month. The event is always sold out and raises about $30,000.

Other activities include the Steele County Fair where they sell gift-wrapped surprise packages known as “grab bags,” and the Holiday Bazaar in November.

In 2023, the Auxiliary volunteers clocked in 2,067 hours of direct support of patients and visitors. In addition, another 12,107 volunteer hours assisted in fundraising support.

Some of the volunteer work can be done without even leaving your home. Volunteers provide sewing and knitting as well as baking for the Holiday Bazaar.

The minimum requirements to be part of the Auxiliary are 24 hours per year. The group offers flexibility to fit your schedule. “We offer a lot of flexibility to meet people’s schedules,” Buck said.

“You choose what you’d like to do, and you choose how many hours you want,” said Gloria Kenow. “You do what you want to do.”

Added Buck, “We are not a little old ladies’ group that sits around and knits socks.”

Shirley Nelson isn’t afraid of volunteering. She is considered a lifetime member as she has volunteered more than 20,000 hours by herself. A big chunk of her hours comes in preparing the grab bags for the fair. They originally started with 400 bags several years ago and now it has grown to 2,400 bags.

Buck said the fundraising events like the fair bags are “very labor intensive” as people go out into the community seeking donations from businesses and other groups.

With April being Volunteer Appreciation Month, the veteran volunteers are hoping to add some new faces to the ranks.

“You get more than you give,” Gloria Kenow said. “You’ve been given this life so do something with it.”

Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary’s Impact

• 116: Current volunteer roster (down from 200 in 2020)

• 2,067: Volunteer hours in 2023 for direct support

• 12,107: Volunteer hours in 2023 for fundraising

• $425,000: Donated to hospital for unbudgeted items since 1957