For more information, or to become a volunteer within Auxiliary, Chaplain and/or Youth services, contact Sue Loch at loch.susan@mayo.edu or 507-377-6255.
Naeve Hospital Auxiliary, founded in 1906, is a group of volunteers that serves Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea patients and families and raises funds for equipment, furnishings and patient care items. The Austin Hospital Auxiliary formed in 1908, under the leadership of Mrs. R.S. Holmes, organized an auxiliary to the St. Olaf Hospital Association, which supports the Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin today. The original membership was 17, and today, it has over 100 members.
Volunteer opportunities within Auxiliary include: Gift Shop/holiday boutique sale, Coffee Shop, Cancer Center (in Albert Lea only), periodic special sales, pediatric tours, comfort blankets, newborn caps, magazine merry-go-round, Caring Hands, and other miscellaneous activities. Volunteer shifts are flexible to fit into busy schedules. All new volunteers attend a general orientation in addition to receiving specific training in their areas of service.
Chaplain Volunteers in Albert Lea and Austin
The Albert Lea Chaplain program was founded in 2004 and was started in 2015 in Austin. Volunteer Chaplains are available 24/7 in both locations. Chaplains can be called during times of crisis situations, receiving difficult news/diagnosis, end of life events, or if families or patients are not from the local area and are asking for Chaplain services.
Youth Volunteers in Albert Lea and Austin
The young volunteer program, founded in 2017, provides opportunities for experience and involvement in both clinic and hospital settings. Young volunteers will follow the same training/application/onboarding process as other MCHS volunteers, and often work under the direction of our Auxiliary volunteers.
Hospice Volunteers in Albert Lea and Austin
Hospice Volunteers provide companionship, emotional support and respite for families. Volunteers may also provide transportation, run errands, office support, offer bereavement and assist with fund-raising and other promotional activities.
Volunteers are asked to attend a monthly meeting. Actual volunteer time is flexible depending on the needs of the patients, families and other activities the volunteer chooses to be involved with. Required training is offered biannually by Hospice, and is open to anyone 18 years and older who has not experienced a family death in the previous year. For more information on Hospice volunteer opportunities, call 507-377-6393.