Claudia Adams recently was named Baptist Golden Triangle’s 2014 Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year. Since joining the auxiliary in 2006, she has volunteered more than 3,600 hours at the hospital.
Her primary volunteer duties include staffing the front desk of the hospital’s patient tower and delivering newspapers to patients, but she also fills in for other auxiliary members when they are sick or out on leaves of absence.
The Volunteer of the Year is selected by auxiliary members each year and recognizes a member who has provided outstanding service to the organization.
Originally from Columbus, Miss., Claudia grew up in the New Hope, Miss., area. She and her husband, Franklin, who was in the military, traveled the world extensively before returning to Columbus in 1966. She worked at the Red Kapp Garment factory for more than 34 years before retiring in June 2001. Claudia and her husband were married for more than 50 years and raised two children. She now has four grandchildren.
In her free time she enjoys participating in church activities and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
“Claudia has such a sweet and humble spirit and is very deserving of this award,” said Cathy Johnson, Baptist Golden Triangle’s volunteer services coordinator. “She has worked hard for the auxiliary and hospital for many years and has done a fantastic job.”
The hospital auxiliary is a 100-member group whose members volunteer throughout the hospital every day of the week. In addition, members operate the hospital’s gift shop and host fundraising projects that generate thousands of dollars for the hospital each year.
In January 2013 the group donated $110,000 toward the purchase of a new ambulance, which cost $140,000. This year the auxiliary committed to help purchase a second new ambulance for the hospital.