Sue Edson is a dedicated volunteer for the Chester River Hospital Center Auxiliary. Sue wears many volunteer hats and serves as both President of the Hospital Auxiliary and as Manager of the Gift Shop. Per Sue: “Our goal is to raise as much money as possible for our local hospital while performing a service for the hospital and our community.”
With foot traffic coming into the hospital for doctor visits, lab work and tests in the radiology area rather than patient visits there is less stopping into the on-site hospital shop for a gift purchase. Sue is actively working on ways to create and promote more sales for a unique gift store featuring some local artisans.
“I enjoy volunteering for our Auxiliary. It is so important to keep health care services local. While volunteering I meet so many interesting people and enjoy hearing their stories. I believe everyone needs to know we as volunteers care and are here for them.” On-site hospital volunteers assist in the daily operations of the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. The volunteers contribute in countless ways to assure the highest-possible satisfaction to patients and visitors. They assist nurses and other hospital staff by performing messenger duties, patient and specimen transportation and conduct COVID screening of visitors. These wonderful volunteers report to Kathy Davis.
The on-site Gift Shop raises funds for the benefit of the hospital. The Shop, opened in 1965, is operated and staffed by Auxiliary volunteers and offers a variety of gifts, jewelry, books, cards, seasonal decorative items and snacks.


The Nearly New Shop, managed by Nanny Porter, is the Auxiliary’s second retail establishment and main fundraiser, which is managed and staffed by Auxiliary volunteers. The Shop accepts donations of and resells gently used adult clothing, shoes and household items. The Shop also features a wedding and formal wear section. Located in downtown Chestertown at 320 High Street, the Shop has been a part of the community since 1958, and is proud to be the oldest retail store in continuous operation in the local area. Volunteers assist by ringing up sales, sorting, tagging and displaying donated merchandise, as well as staffing the store during business hours.
If you are interested in joining Sue’s team as a volunteer you can contact Upper Shore RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) using the inquiry form on this site here or you can contact Sue at edson.sue@gmail.com
For more background on the Chester River Hospital Center Auxiliary Volunteer Program visit this link.