YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - For 90 years, the Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Hospital Auxiliary has provided unwavering support to the community.

To mark the occasion, a special luncheon was held Monday to honor past and current members.

"The Auxiliary was established in 1933, so we are really thrilled and honored, those of us who are current members, to stand on the shoulders of the wonderful volunteers who have worked to support St. Elizabeth Hospital here in our community over 90 years," Joyce Kester, President of the Auxiliary said.

Built on a foundation of selfless dedication and service, the Auxiliary over the years has raised money through various initiatives like book and jewelry sales and shoe and uniform sales.

"We get a percentage of the sales due to the generosity of our wonderful vendors and those monies then are put to use for extras for the hospital staff to serve the patients of our community who to go Mercy Health to look for health services," Kester said.

It's a commitment though that goes beyond fundraising. From volunteering at the Joanie Abdu Breast Care Center to hand knitting and crocheting baby blankets for newborns and pillows for post abdominal surgical patients.

"Our auxiliary through the years has supported many different special projects," Kester said. "They ran the gift shop at St. Elizabeth Hospital for many years. We supported the guest house which functioned at Mercy Health until the early 2000's. That housed patient's families who were from out of town, had no place to stay, kind of functioned like the Ronald McDonald House but the hospital ran it and managed it and we supported them if they needed curtains or bed spreads or maintenance done. Of course, the hospital carried the major load but those little extras like I say that really made it a special place."

"The work they put into to raise money to help us on so many ventures from capital equipment to just support of staff that in turns supports our patients and their families, it's remarkable," Kathy Harley, President of St. Elizabeth Hospital said. "I have worked in a number of places and this is the most robust auxiliary that you find in this day and age, so it is a gift."

Contributions that have left a lasting legacy and will continue to leave an indelible mark on our communities health and well-being.

"We truly intend to continue our service to the community, especially to the hospital," Kester said. " Very special word of honor to all of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary who sponsored St. Elizabeth's hospital for many years and we certainly hope that our enthusiasm in service with continue through the years to come and in ten years we want to be back here again with you to celebrate 100 years."