On Oct. 8, 1935, a group of women gathered at the home of Marion Cancellier to consider starting an organization to provide financial assistance for the growing McKeesport Hospital. The Junior Committee continues the mission it started 80 years ago — raising money to help purchase equipment and other needed items at what is now UPMC McKeesport. Since its inception, the group has contributed more than $3.5 million to the hospital. The women's efforts were recognized Wednesday during a ceremony and open house at the hospital's gift shop, which is operated by members of the group. As part of the festivities, president Jill Mohlman presented $20,000 to the McKeesport Hospital Foundation. The money will be used to purchase an MRI coil that will enhance the imaging capabilities. “It's quite extraordinary, in this time, for a group of women to have stayed here to volunteer all these years,� Mohlman said. “It's wonderful to be part of a close-knit community where you can help people. We have to support our community in whatever way we can.� Reminiscing about the early days of the gift shop, when volunteers sold cookies and candy, the president credited the late Audrey Delo for keeping operations going through the 1960s, '70s and '80s. “It's heartwarming to have such a wonderful group of people who believe in the city and want to improve it any way they can,� Mohlman said of the volunteers. One of those volunteers is past president Dolores Sullivan. “It's a real pleasure to work with the people. We're all here together and we're good at what we do,� she said. Like many of the volunteers, Mohlman is following in her mother's footsteps. “My mother's volunteerism inspired me to become a member of the committee as an adult,� she said. Commenting on the gift shop she said, “I remember my mother working at a little counter at the Painter Building next to the men's ward. I was 6 or 7 years old when there used to be a jewelry counter. It stood as tall as I was. Everything was beautiful. It was heavenly.� Thanking the women for their service, UPMC McKeesport president Mark Sevco said, “As volunteers you are giving back to the community. What you do is incredible and we love you for it.� Mark O'Hern, vice president of operations at the hospital, said, “It's expensive to run a hospital so to have your support is fantastic. We hope to celebrate your 90th and 100th anniversaries.� To mark the milestone, proclamations were presented to the committee from McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, Alison Piccolino on behalf of state Sen. James Brewster and Tom Maglicco on behalf of state Rep. Marc Gergely. “Your work is admirable,� Cherepko told the group. “You are hard-working people who volunteer your time, not for recognition but to make the city a better place.� The first leaders of the McKeesport Hospital Junior Committee were Cancellier, first chairman; Melirie McSheehy, vice chairman; Francis Campbell, secretary; and Ruth Rankin, treasurer. In its early years the group raised money by hosting teas and fashion shows, selling Christmas cards and hosting an annual charity ball. Those funds were presented to the hospital the same as they are now — a need or project is identified and the money given specifically for that purpose. Fundraising efforts took on a new look in 1945 when the snack bar opened, offering staff and visitors milkshakes, hot food and toasted pecan buns. In 1979, the Junior Committee again changed the direction of raising funds when the gift shop opened in the Prescott Building. Customers can buy flowers, gifts, snacks, candy and soda while contributing to the group's fundraising efforts. The store is operated by volunteers who give about 5,000 hours each year. Several years ago, one of the contributions was $51,000 given to the McKeesport Hospital Foundation toward the purchase of a linear accelerator for diagnostic testing in the cancer center and for blanket warmers for use throughout the hospital. Other projects supported by Junior Committee donations include equipment for cardiac rehabilitation, bone density testing and mammography. Equipment isn't the only thing the women purchased. Local charities often were the recipients of the Junior Committee's generosity. Children who were hospitalized during the holidays received toys and, during war years, medical supplies were donated for the Armed Forces. Carol Waterloo Frazier is an editor for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1916, or cfrazier@tribweb.com.