About 50 years ago, in October, a group of ladies organized an auxiliary to the St. Olaf Hospital Association. The original membership was 17, and today, the group has close to 160 members.

The Austin Medical Center Auxiliary is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week with a meeting and luncheon for members and invitees.

President and CEO David Agerter M.D. will be at the celebration, during which the Auxiliary will share a brief history of the projects they have done in the past 50 years to support the AMC.

AMC volunteers contribute to the hospital in many ways. In May of last year, the organization donated $100,000 to hospital and clinic renovation and expansion and a chapel project.

“Our main mission is volunteering, and we have supported the hospital in other ways,” said Ken Jensen, spokesperson for the Auxiliary.

The Gift and Coffee Shop at AMC is managed and operated by Auxiliary volunteers. Funds from Auxiliary fundraisers provide new medical equipment and other things for the medical center. The Auxiliary also gives out scholarships each year to students interested in the medical field.

At their celebration and meeting this weekend, the Auxiliary will be briefed on H1N1 virus infection and prevention control as well as confidentiality and compliance. They will also introduce new officers.

Those interested in becoming AMC Auxiliary volunteers can call Linda Anderson at 434-1307 or fill out a volunteer form at www.mayohealthsystem.org.