By Nicole Falco
Freda Roshiepe and Mary Birbiglia recently received awards recognizing the 25 years of service they have given to the hospital through their work with the auxiliary.
Back in 1976, the auxiliary boasted a membership roster of well over 100. At least 50 or 60 people attended the auxiliary's bi-monthly meetings and generally everyone involved had a good time.
"For a good 10 or 15 years we were going strong. There were many functions. We did a lot of fun things and we really had a wonderful time," Birbiglia said. "I miss it."
At the time, the auxiliary members ranged in age from their 30s to their 60s. Nowadays the auxiliary is down to 32 members, about 20 of whom regularly attend meetings. At least eight are over 80 years old.
At 83, Roshiepe is one of the group's oldest members, but she credits the auxiliary with helping to keep her active.
"I couldn't do it if I didn't have the spirit. It keeps me busy and I've met a lot of nice people," Roshiepe said.
In addition to the Valley Stream chapter, Franklin Hospital had auxiliaries in Elmont, the Five Towns, Malverne, and Lynbrook-Rockville Centre, but in recent years those clubs have either dissolved or gotten much smaller. "The problem is that nowadays younger women who have kids in school and have some time to spare usually go to work," Birbiglia said.
Going to work or volunteering with the auxiliary was a question Birbiglia had to face 25 years ago. While on a field trip with her sixth-grade son, Birbiglia was "recruited" by a woman named "Pat." Birbiglia, now 65, debated whether to join the auxiliary or go back to work as an accountant. She chose the auxiliary and has since held numerous positions with both the Valley Stream chapter and the Franklin Hospital Auxiliary Board. She is currently treasurer for the board and recording secretary for the chapter and works in the thrift shop.
Roshiepe is currently president of the board and co-president of the chapter. She also spends at least three days a week running the Franklin Hospital Thrift Shop on Rockaway Avenue. It's her "baby." Roshiepe estimated that the thrift shop raises over $60,000 a year for the hospital.
"I like to read, so I come here when I run out of books. I also come to say hello to Freda [Roshiepe]," said one loyal customer, Grace McGuire, a Valley Stream resident shopping with her husband, Benedict.
The thrift shop, which has been around about 15 years, has a bunch of regulars who Roshiepe said, "won't shop anywhere else." Roshiepe knows her customers by name and can usually tell you where anything is in the store. She fondly recalls one occasion when the son of a woman who had recently died donated $32,000 worth of Escada dresses. Needless to say, the thrift shop sold out the Escada dresses. Still, the thrift shop thrives on donations and it gets a lot of them.
"[The thrift shop] is one of the most successful. ... It has a huge following," said Liz Feinman, Franklin's Director of Development, who works with the auxiliary.
Most recently, the auxiliary sponsored their annual "Holiday Lights" sale. They sold Christmas lights to locals for remembrance of a loved one. A $5 donation was requested. In all, the sale raised over $2,500, which Roshiepe said would be used for new awnings for the hospital's entrance.
The auxiliary still holds flea markets and plant sales near Valentine's Day, Easter and Christmas. In all, Roshiepe estimates that the auxiliary has raised over $1 million for the hospital in the past 25 years.
"They are two really wonderful, outstanding women who have made a major contribution to the hospital as well as the community," Feinman said.
Both ladies can't forget the good times they've had. They remember the luncheons at Cookies of Hempstead where they actually had to turn people away, fashion shows where they modeled old-fashioned Jantzens bathing suits and had nights of music and dancing at Carl Hoppel's Restaurant on Merrick Road.
"I'm sorry to see it end. We are trying very hard to keep it alive, but out of 32 members there are five or six who are in name only," Birbiglia said.
Roshiepe, Birbiglia and the rest of the auxiliary members will continue to organize fund raisers and hope that new members get involved.
"Anyone who's interested in volunteering with the auxiliary, they would sure be welcome," Roshiepe said. They should call (516) 791-5160 or the Thrift Shop at 825-5216.
