Hospital Auxiliary Board Vice President Carol MacLeod, right, and Secretary Kim Hogan at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside Los Alamos Medical Center. They invite the community to stop by and see the many items available for purchase; proceeds go to charitable causes. They also ask community members to consider volunteering with the Hospital Auxiliary. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Joy and laughter fill the Lobby Shop despite its urgent need for volunteers and shoppers. The Hospital Auxiliary operates the Lobby Shop inside Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC). It has struggled both during and since the COVID-19 Pandemic to keep its numbers up.
Hospital Auxiliary Board Vice President Carol MacLeod and Secretary Kim Hogan serve as volunteers. They stopped by the Los Alamos Daily Post last Thursday to explain that before COVID they had 45 active volunteers. That number has dwindled to 18.
“Our numbers have declined in both categories … volunteers and shoppers,” MacLeod said. “We could do so much more for our charitable activities if the community would respond.”
The Auxiliary is a non-profit organization that donates more than 10,000 hours each year. Volunteers serve the staff and patients at LAMC. They volunteer in the Ambulatory Treatment Unit (ATU) on the third floor. They also provide gifts for the OB Department.
Volunteers serve in the Lobby Shop, which is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every fifth Saturday of a month. The weekday volunteer shifts are 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the fifth Saturday of a month.
The Auxiliary channels its profits from the Lobby Shop to support scholarships to Los Alamos High School seniors considering a career in the healthcare field. Through the Community Health Aid Committee, the Auxiliary offers scholarships to LAMC staff furthering their education. The Auxiliary also helps the less fortunate in Northern New Mexico with medical and pharmaceutical aid when appropriate.
“We always find ourselves in great need of new volunteers. We hope to attract some enthusiastic, caring people who would like to give a half day once a week to help serve those who come to the Medical Center,” Hogan said.
The Hospital Auxiliary’s mission statement reads: “The Hospital Auxiliary of LAMC, in the spirit of compassion and generosity, provides charitable services to reflect the values of LAMC and support the well-being of those we serve.”
LAMC Auxiliary charitable endeavors include:
Northern New Mexico Health Grants Group – In 2003, the Northern New Mexico Health Grants Group (NNMHGG) formed to support nonprofits in Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and northern Santa Fe counties. NNMHGG is a partnership between Con Alma Health Foundation and the Los Alamos Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary. Each year, Con Alma works with the LAMC Auxiliary to provide grants to nonprofits that are working hard to help Northern New Mexicans receive the support and care they need. Last year, NNMHGG provided $150,000 in grants to nonprofits in the tri-county area.
High School Senior Scholarship Program – The Hospital Auxiliary has a scholarship program for any high school senior graduating from a public, church or home school in Los Alamos County. There are several scholarships available from LAMC Hospital Auxiliary. Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors continuing their education at a college or vocational-technical school for the upcoming academic year in a medical or related field. The scholarship is awarded for one year. Candidates must maintain a 2.5 GPA to remain in good standing for the scholarship.
Community Health Aid Committee – The Community Health Aid Committee (CHAC) is a program run by the Hospital Auxiliary that has two focuses. The first focus is on helping indigent people pay for medical and pharmacy bills. They must have received care in Los Alamos County. The second focus is on helping LAMC employees pay for continuing education. In 2024, CHAC paid out $40,398 for medical and pharmacy assistance and $6,597 for employee education.
Community Health Aid Committee applications for medical and pharmacy bills have tripled in the last year, so the need is great.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer with the Hospital Auxiliary, stop by the Lobby Shop to chat and pick up an application.
The view of some of the merchandise available at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside LAMC. The community is encouraged to stop by and shop, proceeds go to charitable causes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The view of some of the merchandise available at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside LAMC. The community is encouraged to stop by and shop, proceeds go to charitable causes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The view of some of the merchandise available at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside LAMC. The community is encouraged to stop by and shop, proceeds go to charitable causes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The view of some of the merchandise available at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside LAMC. The community is encouraged to stop by and shop, proceeds go to charitable causes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The view of some of the merchandise available at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside LAMC. The community is encouraged to stop by and shop, proceeds go to charitable causes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The view of some of the merchandise available at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside LAMC. The community is encouraged to stop by and shop, proceeds go to charitable causes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The view of some of the merchandise available at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside LAMC. The community is encouraged to stop by and shop, proceeds go to charitable causes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The view of some of the merchandise available at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside LAMC. The community is encouraged to stop by and shop, proceeds go to charitable causes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The view of some of the merchandise available at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside LAMC. The community is encouraged to stop by and shop, proceeds go to charitable causes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The view of some of the merchandise available at the Lobby Shop last Thursday inside LAMC. The community is encouraged to stop by and shop, proceeds go to charitable causes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com