In 1972, the first meeting was held of the officially incorporated Clermont County Hospital Guild, an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization.

Its purpose, as stated in the bylaws, shall be to render service to the Mercy Health Clermont Hospital and its patients by the objectives established by the administration of the Hospital and assist in promoting the health and welfare of the community.

Though the hospital, over the years has had a slight name change, the commitment by the Guild to Mercy Health Clermont Hospital and the community has remained the same for 52 years.

A review of the original Minutes of the very first Board Meeting reveals what has transpired over the years. One of the first things observed was that the Guild had been made up of volunteers who were very dedicated and active in helping get the new hospital up and running. From the beginning, it was stated in the bylaws, “Active members will not pay dues but are committed to one hundred hours of volunteering a year. Active members…to attend meetings, vote, hold office in the Guild, and attend all social functions.” To this day, members do not pay dues and are committed to volunteering 100 hours of service (or more if they like) per year.

Through creative fund-raising efforts, business donations, and gifts from personal benefactors, the Guild has made a variety of donations to Mercy Health Clermont Hospital, such as the lighting for the heliport, furniture for the Emergency Department Waiting room, a blood refrigerator for the Lab, a tissue freezer to assist the Lab and the Surgery Department. The Guild provides various comfort supplies for patients. One such item is a personal, clip-on bed fan for patients with respiratory problems. Having clip-on fans saves many man-hours of dismantling, cleaning, sterilizing & reassembling older-model reusable fans. In most cases, the patients take the gift fan home upon release.

Supporting the Circle of Caring Team, for the hospital’s Volunteer Department, supplies are provided to team members visiting admitted patients, who offer encouragement and comfort. Comfort items are available for young people and children such as coloring books with crayons, cozy blankets, and more. In support of the community, the Guild has continually provided scholarships to Clermont and Brown County High School Seniors, who are pursuing a degree in a medical field. The cooperation of the High School Counselors is and has been very important, in urging students to continue their education and apply for scholarships.

Because Clermont County Hospital has grown in scope, to include sister facilities in Brown County and additional sites in Clermont County, the Guild has tried to expand its support to filling needs, as best it can, upon special request from Mercy’s Mt. Orab Emergency & Clinic facility or the newer Eastgate Medical Center on Ivy Gateway.

The Guild donates funds to a special program, “Bob’s Bags,” initiated by a staff member for patients with needs when returning home after a stay in the hospital. The Guild’s impact does go on and on. Fifty-two years is a long time to keep the goal of helping the hospital, patients, staff, and community at the forefront of its volunteer members.

For citizens new to the area, local long-timers, or business folks, please, know that your participation would be appreciated. At this time, the Guild would like to start a social media page, like a Facebook page, to help the greater community know the good things, which Clermont Mercy Hospital Guild, Inc. is doing for the hospital and the community. On a Facebook page, some events the Guild sponsors could be posted, like this year’s “Crafts in the Cornfield” arts and crafts festival. Posting helping-hands assistance needs for other events, or highlighting projects members have initiated or participated in could also be posted. The Guild needs your help to grow along with the hospital. Please, contact ClermontHospitalGuild@mercy.com to inquire how you or your business could become part of this all-volunteer dedicated Guild.