Sutter Auburn Faith Guild members know rewards of giving

Tillie Wenger, 84, has been volunteering at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital since 1992 and has logged an impressive 17,500 hours.She was among the 50 hard-working guild members who gathered on Monday at the Auburn Airport for a lunch and awards ceremony. The annual recognition luncheon was put on by the Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital and included a silent auction, lunch by Marybelle's, speakers and the hours pin presentation. There are around 85 active guild members and Monday's luncheon honored about 30 who have volunteered a minimum of 100 hours.Wenger says her years with the guild have been both enjoyable and rewarding. "It feels good to be out there," Wenger said. "You get just as much out as you are giving." Not only does Wenger volunteer in the ambulatory, surgery, exam and gift store, but she's also been the treasurer of the guild since 1994. "I don't have anyone at home, so I have all the time in the world," Wenger said. "But it's a great place to work. Everyone is just great." Guild President, Ruth Costa said Wenger is an amazing woman. "She just puts in endless hours all the time," Costa said. "Just bless her heart, she's just so special."Marilyn Gerber has been volunteering with the guild since 1985 and spent 20 years in the ER department, she encourages anyone with a giving heart to join the guild. "If people don't have anything to do and they can give help to someone, then it makes them feel good." Gerber said. Dolores Holsinger has been with the guild about a year and agreed. "Volunteer work is needed everywhere," Holsinger said. "The sense of contributing is really awarding." Apart from volunteering, Guild members also fundraise throughout the year to give back to the hospital. Costa said they give out scholarships to nursing students and at the end of the year they give the hospital a lump sum. The guild is always accepting volunteers and Costa said it's well worth the time you put in. "I was a business woman all my life and always found work very rewarding," Costa said. "But I've never found something as rewarding as this." For more information on becoming a guild member, or for group tours of the hospital led by guild members, visit the Web site SutterAuburnFaith.org or call (530) 888-4500 ext. 5004.