Monica Bates is no stranger to Mason Health. After 30 years as a Medical Supplies Buyer in the Supply Chain Department, Bates retired in 2021. She returned to the Mason Health family this summer as the new volunteer Gift Shop Manager for the Mason General Hospital Foundation Auxiliary Gift Shop at Mason General Hospital, which re-opened in May.

“I missed and enjoy the family aspect of being at the hospital,” Bates said. “When it was just the hospital, it was a family. When we took on all the clinics and opened Mason Clinic in 2020, it became a community. Going to the gift shop was always one of my favorite things to do.”

After retiring, Bates moved to Oakville, Washington, in Grays Harbor County. In December 2022, she moved back to Mason County, minutes away from the hospital, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She’s excited to be closer to her family, both at home and at the hospital.

“After working at the hospital for so many years, I saw so many patients coming in and out, for medical reasons, but the gift shop was always a safe place, even for employees,” Bates said. “Employees could come in and take a break from the stress, patients and visitors could come in and take a breath from whatever was going on in their lives. It is truly retail therapy.”

In the summer of 1950, the administrator of Shelton General Hospital met with seven local women who were interested in organizing an auxiliary to aid the only hospital in the area. Following a luncheon for prospective members, there were 113 ladies willing to participate in fundraising projects.

In 1968, the Auxiliary was reorganized under the name of Mason General Hospital Foundation Auxiliary. The membership continued to grow and over the years, through various money-making projects, MGHF Auxiliary has annually donated funds for new hospital equipment.

The Auxiliary supports and staffs the MGHF Gift Shop within the Hospital with the proceeds going to scholarships for students entering the nursing or other medical professions. The Auxiliary also supports the Life Line Program to help four low-income subscribers.

Varied fundraising projects over the years have included: card parties, concerts, cookbooks, raffles, and bake sales. The ladies have assisted with the Blood Bank draws and helped with Fantasy Forest activities. If you are interested in joining the MGHF Auxiliary or have questions, please plan on attending the next monthly meeting.

Scholarships for Graduating High School Seniors ($2,000 each):

• Audrey Knauf, who plans to study psychology at Montana State University
• Evan Eugene Marshall, who plans to study computer science at the University of Washington
• Carina Pablo Martinez, who plans to study nursing or dentistry at St. Martin’s University
• Carmelina Pablo Martinez, who plans to study nursing at St. Martin’s University
• Morgen Shrum, who plans to study nursing at the University of Portland

Renewal Scholarships for Past Scholarship Winners:

• Past Shelton High School student Helday Zacarias, who is studying for a nursing degree at Saint Martin’s University.

Mason Health Employee Scholarships ($1,000 each):

• Chloe Davidson, Medical Assistant-Certified, who is pursuing a nursing degree. Davidson works at Mason Clinic and has received the Auxiliary scholarship in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
• Morgan Elissalde, Laboratory Assistant, who is pursuing a Medical Lab Technician degree. This is the first time she has received this award.
• Iris Hilburger, Volunteer Coordinator, who is pursuing a nursing degree. This is the first time she has received this award.
• Julia Solano-Martinez, Patient Access Specialist, who is pursuing a nursing degree. She received this award in 2022.
• Amanda Wells, Certified Nursing Assistant, who is pursuing a nursing degree. She received this award in 2022.

"I just went to the Gift Shop after my appointment at the hospital, and I always think about how whatever I buy there helps nursing students, so I always spend too much. The nurses at Mason General Hospital are just always smiling, always polite and always helpful. They always seem to know ahead of time what you need. They are very understanding. I’ve been in the hospital many times over the years, and I’ve always received great care, including in the Emergency Department. Every time I go in there, I get such good service.

-Vickie Rossiter, Shelton