The District 10 convention for the Texas Association of Healthcare Volunteers (TAHV) was held recently in Athens. Members of the ETMC Athens Auxiliary hosted the meeting at the Cain Center, where over 100 guests attended, representing eight different hospitals from Texarkana to Atlanta.
The meeting opened with a welcome from Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught, followed by ETMC Athens Administrator Pat Wallace.
“I can’t imagine working as an administrator for a hospital … and not having the presence of the auxiliary. Thank you for what you do. You are all appreciated by your communities,” said Wallace.
TAHV President Fran Wyatt extended a special thanks to the ETMC Athens auxiliary members, saying “you all feel like home folk.” She went on to explain that her choice for the association’s theme this year being “For the Love of a Child” was born of her desire to wipe out child abuse.
The ETMC Athens Auxiliary members presented a video featuring auxiliary members and their relatives in the military, accompanied by Lee Greenwood’s song, “God Bless the USA.” During the presentation, audience members spontaneously rose to their feet and remained standing throughout the presentation — which ran the span of the song twice through. Many teary eyes were seen. Many thanks to Margie McDaniel for compiling the pictures and to vidico video animation studio for providing video production.
ETMC Athens Auxiliary members were singled out for the generosity of their nursing scholarships. Most hospital auxiliaries award scholarships in the $500 range, and none reported giving more than Athens members.
Local physical therapist Don Vallie spoke on making good lifestyle, exercise and nutrition choices. “It’s not what you eat; it’s what you don’t eat,” he said, adding: “It’s not what you do; it’s what you don’t do.”
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Executive Director Lee Ann Millender, in keeping with the child-based theme, was the main speaker for the gathering. She discussed the focus of CASA, which is to assign volunteers who assist children caught up in the legal system after they’ve been removed from abusive or neglectful homes.
Entertainment was provided by Barbara Railsback’s delightful, energetic third-grade choir and by the Athens High School Show Choir, which was under the direction of Kern Railsback.
TAHV President-elect Don Newland said next year’s District 10 convention will be held in Marshall at Good Shepherd Medical Center. The TAHV state convention will be held this year in Dallas.