Our Purpose

The Overlook Auxiliary is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center (AHOMC) with volunteering and fundraising efforts. Founded in 1916, the Overlook Auxiliary has approximately 300 active members and has contributed more than $21M to the AHOMC Community since its inception.

The Auxiliary has several signature fundraisers, including the “Art At Overlook” Auction & Cocktail Reception and the Gift Shop & Bloom – the Medical Center’s gift shop and floral boutique.

For more information on the Overlook Auxiliary, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

AHOMC is a part of Atlantic Health System, one of New Jersey’s largest nonprofit health care systems. As a nonprofit organization, AHOMC strives to deliver high-quality, safe, and affordable health care with respect and compassion.

Our History

Founded in 1916, the Overlook Auxiliary was created by 16 community-minded women under the leadership of Mrs. William Wisner.  The ladies of The Women’s Auxiliary of Overlook, as it was first known, saw the need to support the local hospital in Summit, New Jersey. Up to that point, travel to Newark or New York City was required to receive advanced medical care, so they were grateful for the founding of Overlook in 1906.

In the early days, during two World Wars, members held fundraisers and helped with operational tasks like folding bandages, redecorating hospital rooms, and sewing linens. At that time, the Auxiliary was responsible for all the linens in use in the hospital, with members taking linens to their homes to wash.

From 1947-1949 the women of the Auxiliary founded and staffed the hospital’s first Tea Room and Gift Shop.  Volunteers ran the Tea Room which served as a café to visitors and staff and went room-to-room to ensure all patient rooms had working televisions.  Additionally, patients could call the Gift Shop to schedule a traveling hairdresser to come to their room to wash their hair.

Around the same time “Twigs,” smaller affinity groups of members with dedicated smaller projects, were introduced and, according to our recorded history “membership of the Auxiliary grew tenfold.”

Many successful fundraising galas took place in the following years, the most notable being the Diamond Jubilee Gala in 1976. At this event, Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco served as Honorary Chair and entertainer Bob Hope added his blend of warmth and funny stories. This Gala provided a generous donation toward the opening of the Center for Community Health.

Between 1982 and 1990, the Auxiliary raised over two million dollars. In 1990, the Auxiliary pledged $500,000 to help finance the Child Care Center for employees (now known as Bright Horizons). In 1992, in response to a need for organ donors, the Donate Life Committee was initiated. It was part of the Auxiliary until 2012, at which time members became part of NJ Sharing Network, New Jersey’s federally-designated non-profit organ procurement organization.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Overlook Auxiliary continued its support of AHOMC in a variety of ways by not only raising over $175,000 to purchase needed sterilization equipment, but also raising $27,000 through the Phantom Ball, a virtual fundraiser, to help support COVID-19 patients’ post-hospitalization.

Our Sewing Twig (SU Twig 25) was formed in 2020 with the pandemic need for surgical masks, scrub caps, and button headbands for staff.  Today they continue to knit baby booties, baby hats, and mittens for Mother/Baby and HealthStart, and lapghans and fidget aprons for Elder Life and Atlantic Hope Hospice. Their latest initiative is making reusable shopping bags from recycled sterile blue wrap which accounts for approximately 19% of operating room waste.

Post pandemic, in-person gatherings resumed with the creation of the Art for Overlook Auction and Cocktail receptions which raised $32,000 for Creative Art Therapy programs for pediatric and adolescent behavioral health patients of Atlantic Health Overlook in the first two years.  In addition, the rotating Art at Overlook Gallery program has provided beautiful artwork to the halls on the main floor while giving exposure to local artists.  The ongoing fundraiser donates 20% of all art sales back to the Auxiliary.

The work of the Auxiliary is as varied as its members, with some members focusing on fundraising and others on hands-on-service.  Every year we provide $10,000 in nursing scholarships to AHOMC employees who are continuing their education.  We also bring holiday joy to the Medical Center and host team-building and appreciation receptions for all AHOMC team members.

Currently the Auxiliary has 12 active adult and junior twigs which bring innovative ideas for fundraising and service projects. Our Junior Twig program was started in 2018 to instill volunteerism and community service in the next generation. Students in grades nine through twelve, from more than eight area high schools, work together to boost the morale of team members and patients with creative fundraisers.

The Overlook Auxiliary Gift Shop & Bloom, the Auxiliary’s primary fundraiser, is located in the main lobby of AHOMC. The shop offers beautiful gifts and floral arrangements, essential personal items, snacks, and magazines, all while offering respite to patients, visitors, and staff from the stresses of the day.

Overlook Auxiliary members, and the success of the Gift Shop & Bloom, make it possible to continue the long record of support for AHOMC that started in 1916. By gifting over $21 million during its illustrious history, the Auxiliary is proud of its contribution to the AHOMC and the community it serves.  Although we no longer sew and wash the linens, you will still hear about the service of Auxiliary members who carry on the work to cultivate a compassionate and comforting environment for team members, patients, and visitors of the Atlantic Health Overlook Community.

Updated 7.14.2025