Sentara Obici Hospital Auxiliary honored its many volunteers with a dinner and awards for cumulative hours of service over their lives at Bethlehem Christian Church on Thursday evening.

Awards were given for 100 hours all the way up to 11,500 hours — a milestone achieved by only one volunteer, Otha Rountree.

“I’m a people person,” said Rountree, whose trademark hats greet visitors to the hospital from the information desk. “It’s just great to see the people coming in and going out.”

About 100 guests at the dinner were treated to dinner and special music before the awards were presented.

“Your presence is a gift to the patients and their families,” said Phyllis Stoneburner, vice president for patient care services at Obici. “You are truly one of the things that make Obici a special place. We could not do it without all of you.”

Bonnie Langer, the auxiliary president, said the volunteers help in many areas of the hospital in order to serve the patients.

“We do it for the hospital, for the patients, and for the glory of God,” she said.

The auxiliary also gave two scholarships at the event. Lauren Acree, one of the recipients, will graduate ranked third in her class at Smithfield High School. She will attend the University of Virginia and wants to become an anesthesiologist.

Erin Bertero, the other recipient, will graduate as the valedictorian from Isle of Wight Academy. She will attend Christopher Newport University and pursue a pre-medical track.

The auxiliary also gave a $25,000 check to the hospital to purchase blanket warmers for units that do not currently have them.

“This year we wanted to make a special purchase to help the patients and their families,” Stoneburner said. “There’s nothing better than a nice, warm blanket to cheer you up.”

Length-of-service awards given were as follows:

• 100 hours: Jane Adkins, Judith Anderson, Angela Bovee, Joyce Bryant, Janet Cornell, Robert Ewald, Rita Gary, Brenda Glass, Andree Hartley, Robin Jones, Audrey Kent, Richard Livesay, Sandy Morgan, Ginger Owen, Audrey Scarbel, Shirley Sictor, Robin Smith, Linda Teets, Rita Walck
• 250 hours: Charlie Blanchard, Nathaniel Elliott, Joan Grey, Gwyned Liekefet, Salli O’Donnell, Maureen Palaszynski, William Peachy, Margaret Shaw, Joshua Snashell
• 500 hours: Sandra Burkhart, Carl McGinley, Stephen Serafini, Anne Sloat
• 750 hours: Effie Shrader, Wayne Stancell, C. Shellee Stevens, Joan Sullivan, Don Williams
• 1,000 hours: Jack Chapman, Sharon Eshleman, Joyce Felton, Beverly Gayle, Betty Howard, Katherine Joyner, Bonnie Langer, Ann Questore, Carolyn Tayloe, Barbara Tulik, Stephanie White
• 1,500 hours: Becky Anderson, Kay Brothers, Lionel Buchanan, Bina Cook, Linda Evans, Janie Fowler, Judene Hartless, Pat Howell, Howard Mandeville, Harold Stokes, Annie Walton, Mary Warren
• 2,000 hours: Aaron Boone, Doris Cones, Frances Mizelle, Elizabeth Vance, Robert Walton, Ernestine Williams
• 2,500 hours: Linda Gordon, Trent Vaughan, Jo White
• 3,000 hours: Claire Strickland
• 3,500 hours: Christine Burden
• 4,500 hours: Albert Farrenkopf
• 5,500 hours: Hilda Mansfield, Robert Walton Jr.
• 6,500 hours: Richard Bruckse, Ella Wells
• 9,000 hours: Carol Crafton
• 11,500 hours: Otha Rountree