Learn a little bit about Michele Hillard, Kirby Auxiliary Member.
Michele Hillard grew up in the Chicago-land area where she met her husband,
Ed, in college at St. Ambrose University. After attending college, she
got married and lived in Rockford, IL before she moved to Central Illinois
where she has raised their 4 children, Zach, Lexie, Elizabeth, and Emily
in White Heath and Monticello.
She happily taught art and the gifted program in Monticello, IL for 20+
years, and also taught at Bement and the Deland-Weldon school districts.
Her Husband, Ed, owned Hillard Oil Company for 31 years and then worked
12 years fro Growmark/Illini FS as the energy manager.
In her spare time, Michele loves to travel and learn about other cultures.
"My favorite vacations are our family vacations that usually take
place near a beach and ocean." She loves to swim, read historical
fiction, visit art museums and draw/paint with her grandchildren.
Michele has been a Kirby Auxiliary member for approximately nine years!
She served as Vice-President for five years. She is currently in her second
term as President and serving her fourth year. "I am thankful for
all of the assistance and support from all of the Veteran Officers and
Board of Directors, who help to make the Auxiliary operate so smoothly."
Michele wanted to join the Kirby Auxiliary because she was impressed with
the Kirby community and also because her daughter was a Thomas Dixon Scholarship
Recipient. "I definitely wanted to be able to give back by supporting
the organization. I enjoy being part of the Auxiliary not only because
I have gotten to meet so many members, but I have also gotten to know
so many of the KMC staff as well. I must say that I also wanted to be
a part of the Auxiliary because I have always been so impressed at how
community minded and actively supportive KMC is in Monticello and the
surrounding towns."
Michele plays a major role on the O'Night Divine committee each holiday
season. O'Night Divine is a gala dinner around Christmas time. The
community can visit KMC to see 25 professionally decorated Christmas trees
and enjoy a nice dinner and dessert. It is always an opportunity to see
parts of Kirby that you may never have seen before. "This event is
such a labor of love and creates an amazing ambiance that makes everyone
so happy and certainly lifts the spirits of all who experience it. It
really is my favorite event!"
"To me, the most rewarding goals of the Auxiliary is providing scholarships
to those choosing a medical career path and also providing the hospital
with requested equipment. The Kirby Auxiliary Gift Shop is another rewarding
endeavor in which I certainly enjoy volunteering with."
Kirby Medical Center is thankful for all of the dedication and time Michele
has spent with our Kirby Auxiliary!
