Document text
'Pink Ladies' honored for 6,000 hours By AMANDA BOLSINGER For the Tidings For a collective total of 29 years, Iris Curnow, Peggy Hutto and Gloria Richey have donated hours of service, kindness and compassion with the Ashland Hospital Auxiliary. The years of devotion are recognized by a small pin that the women wear on their smocks to commemorate 6,000 hours of service. "It's an honor to wear this pin," Curnow said while proudly holding out a ribbon lined with different pins. Curnow has been president of the auxiliary as well as chairman for numerous committees. Richey is the senior member of the team. She has been volunteering at Ashland Hospital for 15 years. Curnow has put in 8 years; Hutto 6. The "pink ladies" as they are affectionately known to hospital staff, hold the record for most hours volunteered at the auxiliary. Clad in bright pink smocks with blush and lipstick to match, the ladies offer a cheerful greeting to everyone. Curnow, Hutto and Richey have filled their 6,000-plus hours with countless tasks. The auxiliary volunteers run the gift shop. They guide school tours for local 2nd graders. They fill out medical charts and check in patients. Blood pressure is taken and money is raised. This year the auxiliary, with the help of Curnow, Hutto and Richey, raised $13,000 for the hospital. "Once you are a part of this, you are always a part of it," Curnow said. Richey cuts in, explaining how the auxiliary members and hospital staff are like family. "I never want to quit working here. I know I have done something worthwhile. You get so much gratitude from people. There are lots of warm fuzzies," she said with a smile. "Iris is our Tuesday morning special," one registered nurse said in passing. "She is here at 6:30 in the morning when she doesn't even have to. Iris comes in with a joke and a smile. She always makes people happy." Hutto is the director of the Oregon Association of Hospital Auxiliaries. She has spent many of her 6,000 hours working with other hospitals in Oregon. "We network with other hospital auxiliaries and this year our hospital hosted the annual meeting. It's a lot of work but I don't plan on leaving any time soon." Hutto, Curnow, and Richey all describe their work as a labor of love. "You can put as much or as little in as you want," said Curnow. "You see what your work does here," said Richey. "The hospital really couldn't function without the auxiliary." LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -