Thanks to the work of the Kent Hospital Auxiliary, the hospital has 16 new wheelchairs available for patients and visitors. When outgoing auxiliary president Diane Scott learned of the transport chairs – they can’t be self-propelled – and how they might improve conditions at Kent she visited Mass General in Boston to assess conditions. Armed with positive feedback and the endorsement of hospital administrators, the auxiliary allocated $25,000 for the chairs, the corral where they are kept at the hospital entrance and the locking mechanism. Those wishing to use the chairs are provided keys. Like a lawn mower, explains Elaine Fish, manager of volunteer services, the chairs come to a stop as soon as the handle is released. She also said because of the lifting armrests and set footrests, it is easy for people to get in and out of the chairs. As Scott observed, neither the chairs nor the more than $7 million the auxiliary has raised for the hospital since being founded in 1951 would have been possible without the hospital gift shop. The gift shop, run by 16 volunteers plus one full time and a couple of part time hospital employees can yield as much as $300,000 a year, said Scott. At one time with more than 500 members, the auxiliary is looking to build membership now at 130 and continue its support of hospital programs. All membership costs is $15, said Scott.