THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996 TAG: 9606260128
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: B02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEXIS M. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 41 lines
The Virginia Beach Medical Auxiliary recently won the Medical Society of Virginia Alliance President's award in recognition of its contributions to the community through volunteer work including a focus on breast cancer awareness, stopping violence and informing members on issues before the General Assembly.
``Awards are presented to the organization that works closely together to make an impact on their community,'' said Gwen Hauser, past president of the state Medical Society of Virginia Alliance. ``We wanted a very cohesive organization that does a lot of community outreach and Virginia Beach met all the criteria.''
The local auxiliary assists the abused and homeless, supports breast and prostate cancer research, provides holiday meals and gifts for the needy, supports local rescue squads and Samaritan House and sponsors a blood drive with the American Red Cross.
The membership includes 87 volunteers from the Virginia Beach medical community who are spouses of physicians.
Mary Hayes, president of the local chapter, accepted the award, an engraved silver tray that is returned and passed on each year.
Hayes said, ``In general, we try to meet the health needs of the Virginia Beach community. Part of our work includes volunteering in nursing homes and with pediatrics and we also hold fund-raising events.''
Another project is providing advertising, volunteer hours and donations to the Discovery Shop, an upscale resale shop in Hilltop East that sells gently used merchandise and benefits the American Cancer Society.
The Virginia Beach Medical Society Auxiliary is a member of The Medical Society of Virginia Alliance consisting of 2,000 state members and The American Medical Society Alliance consisting of 60,000 national members. MEMO: This appeared in the zoned editions of the Beacon; this version
was in the Bayside edition. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLES MEADS
Mary Hayes, left, Sandy Kelsey and Linda Fischer display gently used
garments sold at the American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop. by CNB