Helen Pattison
Hello, everyone. It is the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary’s anniversary.
We are 60 years old and proud of it. We intend to celebrate—and hope you join us.
The March 12 luncheon was held at Hallett Hall in Rainycrest, where members enjoyed a very tasty meal consisting of spinach salad, corned beef, calcannon potatoes, sliced beets, and apple crisp.
Great job, Chef Dwayne and staff!
Many of the 36 attending sported brightly-coloured green apparel in honour of St. Patrick’s Day.
The door prize (a pot of shamrocks) was won by president Irene Laing.
Irene presented a report outlining the activities of the group. She stressed that the “Greeter Desk,” which is something new being brought forward to the hospital, requires volunteers who will work in pairs.
Two shifts per day are anticipated (from 8 a.m.-noon and noon-4 p.m.)
The prime responsibility will be to assist patients and visitors to find different locations within the hospital. But to run this program, volunteers are needed.
If you are not an auxiliary member, all that is required is a $5 annual membership that can be purchased at the gift shop, which will enable you to assist in other capacities, as well.
In other news, Noreen Robertson and the nominating committee are hard at work setting up a slate of officers for the annual general meeting scheduled for Monday, June 11.
Some events you may wish to mark on your calendar include:
•Volunteer Appreciation Tea—April 28 from 2-4 p.m. at the New Beginnings Fellowship Church;
•“Rock-a-thon”—May 4-5 at the Memorial Sports Centre (in conjunction with the trade show);
•“Old Bags Lunch”—May 6 at Robert Moore School, with this year’s theme being “Mama needs to accessorize” (this is sponsored by the Riverside Foundation for Health Care); and
•the ever-popular Strawberry Social—June 4 at La Verendrye Hospital.
Davetta Sheppard also advised the group that only one blood donor clinic is being held in Fort Frances this year (in late summer).
During the past few months, the auxiliary donated funds to purchase three pain pumps, which are now in use.
As well, funding has been donated to purchase an ice machine, some ultrasound units, and a total knee replacement passive movement machine for the physiotherapy department.
Several auxiliary members are attending a spring conference in Dryden on April 20-21.
If you have spare time, think about donating some of it to your local hospital auxiliary.
