GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Orchard Hospital Auxiliary recently held its annual Ice Cream Social. It was a beautiful, sunny day and perfect weather for the event. The ice cream social offered a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy an outing and others to meet up with friends and chat for a while.

Each attendee had the choice of cake, pies, cobblers, and cupcakes. There was the choice of vanilla, chocolate, rocky road, and butter pecan ice cream. The best part was it was all-you-can-eat!

The Gridley High School girls volleyball team was on hand to set up, work the event and clean up. They also encouraged those passing by to come enjoy some ice cream.

There was a basket raffle afterwards to participate in. There were baskets for Mother’s Day, BBQ items and even a pizza oven!

 Jodie Crandall, Kirsten Storne-Piazza and Steve Stark serve up ice cream.

The Herald spoke with Kirsten Storne-Piazza about the history of the event. Storne-Piazza explained that it all started with a group of ladies that got together and wanted to support the hospital. They opened a gift shop and volunteered to run it. Originally named Biggs-Gridley Memorial Hospital Pink Ladies, they had two men join and changed the name to Auxiliary.

The ice cream social is the auxiliary’s main fundraiser and has been held for over 30 years. Volunteers can remember in the early years, the doctors from the hospital served homemade ice cream to those attending the event. It was previously held on the first Thursday in August, but the event was changed due to the heat.

The Auxiliary continue to run the gift shop, which is now located at the Medical Specialty Center, 284 Spruce Street. The gift shop has many items to choose from including cards and gifts.

All the proceeds of the event are donated to Orchard Hospital. The proceeds have previously been used to purchase glucose machines, blanket warmers, tables and chairs and various items for all the different departments.

 Young attendees enjoy the event.