Kirby Auxiliary Hosts Annual Luncheon

Kirby Medical Center’s Auxiliary held its annual luncheon on Monday, July 8, 2024 at the Monticello Community Building. Many members and guests attended, including family members of newly elected board members and Thomas Dixon Scholarship recipients.

Each year the Auxiliary donates the proceeds from gift shop sales and other fundraising events to The Kirby Foundation. This year, Auxiliary Treasurer, Irma Raycraft, presented a $22,000 check to Kirby CEO Steve Tenhouse during the meeting. This donation will support the landscaping pockets project to enrich the Kirby Wellness Trail by installing attractive “pocket gardens” featuring native plants and boulders.

Kathy Keith of Monticello was named Auxilian of the Year for her hard work and dedication to the Kirby Auxiliary.

Pictured L to R: Irma Raycraft, Linda Ayers, Ann Hehn, Jeff Hayes, Bill Haworth, and Linda Disney

The 2024-2025 Kirby Auxiliary officers were installed:

President – Jeff Hayes

Vice President – Bill Haworth

2^nd Vice President- Linda Disney

Secretary – Ann Hehn

Treasurer – Linda Ayers

Director – Irma Raycraft

The Kirby Auxiliary also awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships to 12 students.

Pictured Left to Right:

Madelyn Clark, Kathryn Mesplay, Cora Sowinski, Jaydn McCarty, Colby Collins, Sylvia Harvey, Erin Rogers, Madelyn Clark

Continuing Recipients

Cody O’Connor: Cody is attending Loyola University in Chicago. She is studying biochemistry as a major and Spanish language as a minor. She plans to graduate in the Spring of 2026. Her career goal is to become a neurosurgeon. Cody is the daughter of Timothy and Pamela O’Connor of White Heath.

Cora Sowinski: Cora is attending Loyola University in Chicago. She is enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She plans to graduate in the Spring of 2026. Her career goal is to become a pediatric nurse. Cora is the daughter of Brian and Kathy Sowinski of Monticello.

Kathryn Mesplay: Kathryn will be attending the University of Tennessee - Knoxville in the College of Nursing program. She plans to graduate May 2027 as a nurse with a BSN degree. Kathryn is the daughter of Mark and Rebecca Mesplay of Monticello.

Lydia Burger: Lydia will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She plans to graduate in May 2026 in Kinesiology before continuing to graduate school for her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. Lydia is the daughter of Dustin and Denise Burger of Monticello.

First Time Recipients

In addition to their fundraising efforts, this year Auxiliary members recorded 4,113 volunteer hours.

If you are interested in learning more about the Auxiliary or wanting to become a member, please stop by the Kirby Medical Center Gift Shop or go to kirbyhealth.org/Auxiliary.

Thomas Dixon Memorial Scholarship Recipients:

The front row L to R:

Natalie Wilkin, Grace Lietz, Cora Sowinski, Kathryn Mesplay, Cody O’Connor, Jayna Burger, and Lydia Burger