Auxiliary’s holiday tradition helps equip Northern Inyo Hospital

October 27, 2026

News Release

Auxiliary’s holiday tradition helps equip Northern Inyo Hospital

A holiday gift purchased at the upcoming Northern Inyo Hospital Auxiliary’s annual boutique helps support a volunteer effort that has raised more than $833,000 for the benefit of local health care.

That effort continues Saturday, Nov. 7, when the Auxiliary holds its Holiday Boutique from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Northern Inyo Healthcare District’s Birch Street Annex, 2957 Birch St., across from the Jill Kinmont Boothe School. Admission is free.

Founded in 1963, the Auxiliary has spent more than six decades raising money for needed medical equipment that may fall outside the District’s budget. Its contributions have helped purchase breast health screening equipment, defibrillators, patient lifts and surgical monitors.

More recent purchases include a rapid infuser for the Emergency Department, a portable ultrasound machine for the Rural Health Clinic, and a treadmill for Physical Therapy.

The boutique is one way members sustain that work, along with community donations and proceeds from the volunteer-operated hospital Gift Shop. Over the years, their service has also included community blood drives and health education efforts.

This year’s boutique will feature handcrafted gifts, holiday items and See’s Candy, along with ongoing door prize drawings. The bake sale remains a popular part of the annual event, with homemade baked goods selling out early each year.

A Christmas quilt drawing and a cash drawing offering prizes of $1,000, $300 and $200 will take place just before the boutique closes at 1 p.m. Winners need not be present. Tickets for both drawings are available from Auxiliary members or at the hospital Gift Shop for $1 each or six for $5.

All proceeds will support needed equipment purchases.

The work behind the fundraiser draws on more than crafting skills, Auxiliary President Karen Benson said.

“You don’t have to be crafty to join us. You just need a desire to give from the heart and support our hospital and community,” Benson said. “There are many ways to help, and we welcome people who would enjoy being part of that work.”

The Auxiliary accepts new members throughout the year, including volunteers interested in helping in the Gift Shop or providing administrative support.

Members meet Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at the Birch Street Annex. Those who prefer to craft at home, or cannot attend meetings, can join as remote members, creating and donating handmade items for the group’s fundraising efforts.

For information about the Auxiliary or membership, call Benson at (818) 438-0691.

About Northern Inyo Healthcare District: Founded in 1946, Northern Inyo Healthcare District features a 25-bed critical access hospital, a 24-hour emergency department, a primary care rural health clinic, a diagnostic imaging center, and a rehabilitation service for physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy. We also offer clinics specializing in orthopedics, cardiology, urology, women’s health, pediatrics and allergies, general surgery, colorectal surgery, and breast cancer surgery. Continually striving to improve the health outcomes for those who rely on us for care, NIHD aims to improve our communities, one life at a time. One team, one goal, your health.