Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Auxiliary
The Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Auxiliary is comprised of over 100 plus women and men. Over the past 50 years they have devoted countless service hours to the patients and raised critical funds to support Henry Mayo’s Mission by improving the health of our community through compassion and excellence in healthcare services.
History:
The Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Auxiliary support group began as the Santa Clarita Valley Women’s Auxiliary in 1962 many years before the founding of Henry Mayo or the hospital doors even opened.
October of 1962, Mrs. Lena Huntsinger, assistant administrator of the Santa Clarita Hospital made a plea to the Santa Clarita Methodist Church Women’s Society of Christian Service to help in the need for a hospital service group as the outcome of a Greyhound Bus accident which occurred on October 12, 1962.
On November 27, 1962, a group of interested citizens with a committee of three ladies: Martha Barton, Jerann Bowmann, and Gwen Gillespie, proposed a set of bylaws. The meetings were in the Hart High School room #27. Meetings were held monthly. The first Officers were:
- President: Lois Lo Fiego
- First Vice President: Sue Bedwell
- Second Vice President: Ann Cash
- Sec of Publicity: Martha Barton
- Recording Sec: Louise McJohnston
- Treasurer: Betty Bullock
The Auxiliary also had plans to sponsor a High School Candy Striper Group.
The original bylaws stated: The objective of this organization shall be to sponsor and promote interest in person to person service within the community. The purpose shall, also, be to sponsor and create interest in a hospital service group composed of girls from the ages of fourteen years through the ages of eighteen years of age.
The organizational meeting of the newly formed Little Santa Clarita Valley Women’s Auxiliary was held on January 10, 1963 at Hart High School. The by-laws were amended and approved by the members present.
The Auxiliary was set to begin it its service to the community at a local hospital on Monday, January 14, 1963. Anyone interested in helping with this non-profit, person-to-person service was to call Lois Lo Fiego, the elected president.
By 1964, the “Pink Ladies” as they were known, were writing letters for patients, taking around juices, coffee, a book cart, providing hair care and manicures, acting as receptionists, performing eye tests, weighing and measuring children, working in the Blood Bank, and teaching those interested in Braille. By 1965, they were driving patients from the convalescent hospital to barber appointments or dental appointments and spending time feeding patients. In addition, the Pink Ladies were part of a Disaster Team and were on call in case of disaster caused emergencies.
In an article in November 1969, Santa Clarita Hospital would soon be known officially as Inter-Valley Community Hospital. When asked to provide background for this decision, Administrator Charles S. Dyer made the following statement:”Santa Clarita Hospital opened its doors in June of 1960; at that time, there were 19 beds, 1 surgery and 24 employees. Today after 4 expansion programs covering the 9 ½ years, we are 125 beds and nearly 180 employees.”…
In December 15, 1976 the Parent Preview new parent’s tours had been created and in January 5, 1977 the Auxiliary began to publish the Cradle Roll to the newspapers announcing the new babies born in the hospital.
The First Baby of the New Year was presented to Christina Bertha O’Malley born January 1, 1979.
The Auxiliary represented the hospital in the July 4, 1979 Parade receiving a green ribbon from the NSV Chamber of Commerce during the 53rd Annual July 4th Parade.
November 26, 1980, the Auxiliary presented Michael Leigh Heir as the first baby to receive one of the new t-shirts that would continue to be distributed to the newborns at Henry Mayo.
In 1981, the Auxiliary selected four homes in the Santa Clarita area to be shown on its Holiday Home Tour. The homes were decorated for the holidays by professional interior decorators, and then tours for Santa Clarita residents were hosted by the Auxiliary. The tours were held in conjunction with the organization’s Christmas Boutique where the Auxiliary sold handmade gifts for the holidays. Today, the Henry Mayo Holiday Home Tour support group is a separate fundraising group.
In October 2002 – The Auxiliary celebrated their 40th anniversary since its formation.
Today the Auxiliary continues to support Women’s Services presenting each new baby with an infant t-shirt, assisting with Parent Previews and Tyke Hike classes. In addition, they continue to raise funds through a variety of fundraising events and supporting the HMNH Gift Shop. All proceeds raised by the Auxiliary are donated to HMNH Foundation to benefit patient Care services.
More Information:
For more information, including how to join The Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Auxiliary, please contact volunteer services at 661.200.1500.
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Auxiliary 2023 Board