One way or the other, if you go to Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC), you have to notice the trail of the  Health Services Auxiliary (HSA). It can be seen, felt, and smelled.

There are play stations and ping pong tables for the patients, and education materials all over the hospital that the HSA purchased.

And if none of the above items have caught your eye, perhaps you have smelled popcorn wafting through the air.  That too, is the auxiliary.

"We use the popcorn as a ruse to get people to come and see what we're doing," quipped Vicki Jurgensmeier, who is the secretary of the HSA, and past president and treasurer of the non-profit, volunteer organization. "We purchase things for Madigan to enhance patient care, that Army money can't buy ... Our main goal is to promote "espirit d' corps," or goodwill, and friendship. Our passion is to make things a little better for the soldiers and their families by purchasing comfort items to make their visit to Madigan easier."

A social and service organization, the HSA has been associated with MAMC for about 40 years. During that time, the organization has donated anywhere from $5000 to $20,000 worth of items each year, including funds for graduation and award ceremonies for doctors, nurses and dentists, personal care and hygiene items, Playstations and games, exercise mats, ping pong tables, televisions on rolling carts, funds for the holiday ball, microwaves, VCRs, DVD players, CD players, CDs, strollers and teddy bears for wards; breast pumps for Fisher House; toys, games and puzzles for clinics; books for medical library and clinics; and funds to rehabilitate stray animals.

With only about 40 volunteers, the organization plans a few annual fundraisers including a daffodil sale, a poinsettia sale, a golf tournament and sometimes a basket auction.  Also the HSA raises money year-around with shirt sales.

"Our main goal is to raise money to give back to the community," she said. "But the best part for me is the friendships and camaraderie that the volunteers share."

Although some of the fundraisers are held annually, their biggest fundraiser - a basket auction - was put on hiatus until they had more volunteers, she said. However, they have plans to try to host an auction next year, she said.

The auctions are huge, Jurgensmeier said.  Each year they choose a theme such as "Rock Around the Clock," or "Salute to Hollywood," she explained.  The items they have received in recent years are incredible, she recalled.

"One year we had the Rock Around the Clock" auction for which we all wore our poodle skirts," Jurgensmeier said. "Then one year we held a Salute to Hollywood auction. We had items that included a desk from the movie set of Titantic, and a crystal chandelier, donated by Waterford.  There were some great items that helped us with our goal of doing things for the soldiers and their families."

Current HSA president Kathleen Thompson got involved with the organization to help make the lives of patients in the hospital a little better, she said.  While they await grant requests from the hospital departments and division, they are looking for more members.

"People should come join us," said Thompson, who is the wife of Col. Mark Thompson, the deputy commander of clinical services at MAMC.  "We're a lot of fun.  Come see what we are all about.  We won't overwhelm anyone who wants to volunteer.  We just want to get more people involved."

Anyone older than18, with a military ID card, can become a member, for a $15 annual fee.  Although volunteers are invited and encouraged to help with the fundraisers, they are not required to help, she said.

The next fundraiser is the golf tournament, which will be held on May 28 at the Eagle's Pride Golf Course.  The cost is $50 per person.  The tournament will be played in scramble format.  To late register, inquire by email to hsaftlewis@yahoo.com.