The mission of the Iowa Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary is to support services and activities benefiting patients, the community and Iowa Lutheran Hospital. In 1910, four years before Iowa Lutheran Hospital opened its doors, women from the First Lutheran Church in Des Moines founded the Iowa Lutheran Auxiliary to raise funds for its establishment. When the hospital was built in 1914, Auxiliary members were involved by cutting and stitching hospital supplies. A sewing committee was created later to provide the hospital with blankets, smocks and aprons. In the 1950s Auxiliary members began providing their first direct service function of delivering flowers to patients. The Auxiliary’s list of services continued to grow, including the addition of the admitting escort service, the gift shop, a telecare program to provide contact for individuals living alone, and the Candy Striper program for area teenagers. The Candy Striper program was later renamed the Volunteen program, and through the Auxiliary’s support the program has continued to grow. In 1975 the Auxiliary further expanded its services and opened a thrift shop, which is now named the Not New Shop. Connected to George Washington Carver Community School and the Boys and Girls Club, the Not New Shop offers a wide variety of items ranging from household goods to jewelry and clothing. Now nearly 1,000 members strong, the Iowa Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary proudly holds the honor of being the oldest hospital auxiliary in the city. This year the Auxiliary will celebrate its 100-year anniversary by hosting a variety of events honoring members for their commitment. To learn more about the Auxiliary, or to receive a free centennial issue of the Aux Vol newsletter, please call 515-263-5227 or visit IowaHealth.org.