Friends of Coffey Health System is a valuable part of the CHS family. These trusted volunteers help our patients, staff, and community in countless ways.
The Coffey County Hospital Gift Shop, the flagship of our auxiliary program, is a unique volunteer opportunity. Managed and staffed entirely by volunteers, who dedicate their time in 3.5-hour shifts, the gift shop serves the hospital and gives back to the community through local scholarships and hospital improvements. For instance, the shop’s proceeds made the recent purchase of a new “crash cart” for the obstetrics department possible.
The volunteers are always eager to help compile information packets or lend a hand with hosting CHS events. They go the extra mile when an employee needs additional love and support by rallying together to host bake sales. In a true labor of love, two volunteers have knitted more than 700 caps for the hospital’s newborns.
Two of their most significant ongoing projects reach far beyond our four walls. They have purchased three durable benches made from recycled plastic bags that they collect. Each bench requires 500 pounds of bags. Several area businesses contribute their usable plastics to the project, and a collection box is located at the hospital. What a great way to keep bags out of our landfills and provide outdoor seating for residents at The Meadows and visitors at our Yates Center clinic!
The generosity of Friends of CHS even reaches around the globe. Their military collection project—in its 15th year—began as a way to brighten the holidays for Kansas troops stationed overseas. More than 1,400 boxes were shipped through the program. When pandemic restrictions halted the shipment of care packages to soldiers, the auxiliary partnered with the U.S. War Dogs Association and began collecting monetary donations to meet the specific needs of military canines and their handlers. In 2023, they collected an impressive $5,774.30. In addition to monetary donations, students from all schools in Coffey County made cards and letters for the troops, and a 4-H club collected doggie treats.
We’re proud of Friends of CHS and their essential work in the hospital and beyond!
If you have a few hours to spare and would enjoy a rewarding volunteer opportunity, we’d love to have you join our team. Stop by the hospital gift shop to fill out an application or do so online by clicking here.