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 Health Foundation Auxiliary. The membership continued to grow and over the years, through various money-making projects, the Auxiliary has annually donated funds for new hospital equipment.

The Auxiliary supports and staffs the 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 Foundation Auxiliary or have questions, please plan on attending the next monthly meeting.

To make a donation to the Auxiliary Scholarship Fund in memory of Colleen Ripley, please follow this link: Auxiliary Scholarship Fund - Colleen Ripley Donations

Checks to the Auxiliary can be made out to MGHF Auxiliary and mailed to PO Box 1668, Shelton, WA 98584.

Mason Health Foundation Auxiliary awarded 18 scholarships totaling $30,000 in funding for the 2026-2027 academic year.

• Cohen Holzgrove, Shelton High School (attending Oregon State University to study Kinesiology)
• Tatiana Murillo-Banderas, Shelton High School (attending South Puget Sound Community College to study Pre-Nursing)
• Emma Oleachea, Shelton High School (attending Eastern Washington University to study Nursing)
• William Webb, Shelton High School (attending Washington State University to study Neuroscience)
• Hailey LaCelle, Shelton High School (attending Washington State University to study Human Biology)
• Dwayne Nunez-Lopez, Shelton High School (attending University of Washington to study Cellular Biology and Genetics)
• Xiomara Sanchez-Barajas, Shelton High School (attending University of Washington to study Public Health)
• Annora Smith, Shelton High School (attending Willamette University to study Medical Genetics)
• Morgan Elissalde, Technical Assistant at Mason Health Lab (studying Nursing at Olympic College)
• Iris Hilburger, Certified Nursing Assistant in Medical Surgical Pediatrics at Mason General Hospital (studying Nursing at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh)
• Julia Solano-Martinez, Saint Martin’s University (studying Nursing)
• Linda Cook, Certified Medical Assistant at Mason Clinic-Primary Care (studying Nursing at Clover Park Technical College)
• Aristina Uribe-Florea, Rehab Aide at Mason Health Physical Therapy (studying Nursing at South Puget Sound Community College)
• Violeta Remigio-Lopez, Saint Martin’s University (studying to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor)
• Morgen Shrum, University of Portland (studying Nursing)
• Andrea Lopez, Certified Medical Assistant at Mason Clinic-Primary Care (studying Nursing at South Puget Sound Community College)
• Lillian Sawvel, Certified Nursing Assistant in Medical Surgical Pediatrics at Mason General Hospital (studying Nursing at Olympic College)
• Katelynn Wade, Laboratory Assistant at Mason Health Laboratory (studying Nursing at South Puget Sound Community College)

"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