From left, Kay Romeo, Barbara Kennedy, Cheryl Novak, Tina Corcoran and Bob Wolleben.

MASSENA -- The Massena Memorial Hospital Auxiliary named Cheryl Novak its Auxilian of the Year.

Novak retired from MMH in 2008 as a health unit coordinator and administrative assistant. She now volunteers in the gift shop, which the auxiliary says is their main source of income.

“[Novak] has worked diligently to balance the income versus the disbursements, realizing a significant profit for the Auxiliary in 2014,” the auxiliary said in a prepared statement. “She has been the treasurer of the gift shop for a number of years.”

“Cheryl is someone who works in various capacities thru the years, like the sewing bees, chairing one of the largest fundraisers, working in the gift Shop on a regular basis and taking excellent care of the … finances,” according to Barb Kennedy, MMH Auxiliary gift shop manager. “Cheryl and I have become partners, working for the good of the gift shop. We have also become good friends. Cheryl has helped me so many times, some things at the last minute, like a few health fairs and the spring vendor gala shows. Never a question asked, she just comes and helps. Also when I get a big shipment of Alex and Ani, Cheryl is always willing to help.”

Auxiliary members volunteer in areas including patient services, wellness promotion, illness prevention programs, fundraising, advocacy activities and community outreach projects.

“In fact, the Auxiliary has had a good year thanks to our own innovative and dedicated members. Our fund raising efforts were all successful this year. Books Are Fun sales increased this year and our third annual ‘Vendors N More Gala’ was again a success with a lot of hard work by many. ‘Christmas Cash’ continues to bring $3,500 profit and gives prizes totaling $2,500,” Auxiliary President Kay Romeo said.