Blue Birds Membership Today Exceeds 4,000 and Group Provides Volunteer Support at Methodist Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital, Methodist Heart Hospital and Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital
WHAT: In 1920 a small group of members of the Laurel Heights Methodist Church founded the Blue Birds of Laurel Heights. The group grew, supporting the activities of the church. In 1960 when the dream of a Methodist hospital for San Antonio was becoming a reality, the group voted to become the Blue Bird Auxiliary of Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital. The Bird Birds now number more than 4,000 in membership and since 1960 the men and women in the group have contributed more than 2.9 million hours of volunteer service on behalf of Methodist Hospital. On November 21, the Blue Birds will host a reunion luncheon as part of the Laurel Heights United Methodist Church Centennial Celebration.
Blue Bird members are involved in more than 50 areas of service to hospital patients and visitors, including working at the information desk and in admitting, the surgery waiting room, the children’s emergency department and the gift shop. Others work at home making caps, blankets and holiday stockings. The auxiliary also is involved in a variety of fund raising activities and has contributed over $2.8 million to the hospital for the purchase of equipment and for construction projects (prior to the hospital becoming a for-profit entity in 1995). In addition to the gift shop, the Blue Birds also operate a hair salon on the 10th floor of the hospital. Membership in the Blue Birds is open to individuals interested in service and fellowship.
WHEN: Saturday, November 21. The group will gather at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and remarks at noon.
WHERE: Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, 227 W. Woodlawn, Gymnasium
WHO: James C. Scoggins Jr., president of the North Texas Division, Hospital Corporation of America and former executive vice president, Methodist Healthcare in San Antonio, will be the featured speaker.
STORY IDEAS:
- Members of the Blue Birds will be available for interviews. They can discuss why helping others is so rewarding to them.
- James C. Scoggin Jr., former Methodist Hospital CEO, can provide insight into the important role the auxiliary plays for the hospitals and their patients.
>MEDIA CONTACTS: Shirley Wills, 822-2378/365-4488 (cell) JoAnn King, 210-575-0171/325-3294 (cell)