About Us
We are a group of volunteers dedicating our time and energy to raising money for the Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, MA while enjoying the opportunity to develop new friendships.
Founded in 1968, the Orleans Branch meets monthly between September and June to plan fundraising and social events that are held throughout the year.
Past events have included luncheons, a food festival, a holiday bazaar, a fashion show, raffles, house tours, card parties, and we created a cookbook.
The largest fundraising event of the Orleans Branch is the not-to-be-missed Holly Berry Bazaar, held every two years in November in Orleans. Go to our Events page to see more about our upcoming and past events.
We would love to have you join us. Become a Member
Officers | 2024-2025
| Chair | Peg Jemison chair@ccha-orleans.org |
| Vice Chair | Jeanne Morcone |
| Member Communications | Cathy Cardamone |
| Recording Secretary | Sue Mandel |
| Corresponding Secretary | Marcy Ericson |
| Treasurers | Rose Gadbois Linda Wander |
Committees | 2024-2025
| Dollars for Scholars | Sue Mangan |
| Historian | Nancy Johnson |
| Holly Berry 2024 | Pam Santas Debbie Setterlund |
| Hospitality | Teri Babetski Lynn Brennan Sandra Parry |
| Marketing Communications | Nancy Askins Debbie Setterlund |
| Membership | Linda Bohlen Lynn Nelson Jean O’Connor |
| Nominating | Sue McFarlane Arlene Thompson Mary Walsh |
| Programs | Nancy Ciccia Benva Grogan Sissy Olsen |
| Property | Nancy Ciccia Linda Wander |
| Publicity | Robin Berlanti Ann Caplicki |
| Puppets | Dianne Greaney |
| Ways & Means | Paula Brady Cathy Cardamone Arlene Thompson |
Monthly Meetings & Programs
Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month from September through June at the Federated Church of Orleans, 162 Main Street, Orlean, MA 02653. The public is welcome at our meetings.
Each month after our business meeting we have a guest speaker. Past speakers have included authors, theater directors, gardeners, scientists, and more. Stay tuned for the 2023-24 list of program speakers.
9:00 am Refreshments | 9:30 am Business Meeting | 10:30 am Guest Speaker
If you’re interested in joining the Auxiliary, go to our membership page for more information.
History
In 1942, Mrs. Gorham Bacon, the wife of a New York doctor and Trustee of the Cape Cod Hospital, officially organized the Cape Cod Hospital Aid Society with 18 local women. After WWII the group was divided into Town or Village Branches.
The Aid Society provided pastries, manned the Coffee Shop, and made gifts. They started a gift shop on a tray, then on a cart, and then in a room. In 1956 the Thrift Shop was opened in a small space at the west end of Main Street in Hyannis. In 1974 it moved across the street to its current location.
Each Branch raised funds separately from the Hospital Administration’s annual list of “urgently needed items and special equipment”. In 1959 the Branches began the current method of pledging specific annual funds to the hospital. That first year, they made a three-year pledge to raise $25,000. The current 5-year pledge is $1,000,000 to support Cancer Services.
In 1992, in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary, and to avoid any confusion with AIDS, the name of the Cape Cod Hospital Aid Society was changed to the Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary (CCHA).
CCHA members fundraise (over $8 million to date), act as liaisons of Cape Cod Healthcare in their communities, and volunteer. There are currently two branches, Chatham-Harwich and Orleans, and the Thrift Shop with over 300 members combined.
THE ORLEANS BRANCH
The Orleans Branch was organized in 1968 by 25 women. In less than a year the membership grew to 189. Over the years our branch has held fundraising luncheons, food festivals, holiday bazaars, fashion shows, raffles, house tours, card parties, and created a cookbook.
Our largest fundraising event is the Holly Berry Bazaar, held every two years in November. This is a not-to-be-missed event for holiday shoppers and collectors looking for treasures. Our group is also involved in the annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival, hosting several private garden tours.
Our first Holiday Bazaar, 1968
The Orleans Branch meets the first Tuesday of the month, September through May, and our meetings are open to the public. We hope you’ll join us.
News
April 7, 2024, MVY Radio interview with Sue Mandel, CCHA Orleans branch officer and Ways & Means co-chair about the Auxiliary and the event “A Gathering of Blossoms”
Cape Cod Chronicle, December 7, 2023
Cape Cod Chronicle, April 5, 2023, Health: Hospital Auxiliaries Have Long History Of Serving The Cape Community