Many thanks

Dear editor:
As a member of the La Verendrye General Hospital Auxiliary, I had the opportunity to spend most of the last two weekends in July under the big tent at the Sorting Gap Marina and I want to commend the organizers and workers of both the “Harmony of Nations” Music Festival and the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship for the level of enthusiasm and commitment shown during those events.
In early June, the bass tournament approached us to partner with them to hold a boat raffle. We were honoured to be asked but when we started looking at the short timeline and the number of volunteer hours it would take to sell the tickets, we were a bit overwhelmed.
But as usual, and in the spirit of Fort Frances, everyone came through for us and some specific and public “thank yous” are in order.
Thank you to the organizing committee–Irene Laing, Dixie Badiuk, Dolores Fraser, Davetta Sheppard, Joy Lockman, and Shirley Scofield—for planning and mobilizing the project in record time.
It was merely hours between when we were approached and when we hit the ground running.
Thanks to the Town of Fort Frances for expediting the application and issuing of the raffle licence. No corners were cut but we certainly did not get bogged down in any bureaucracy, either.
Thanks to Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, the Scott Street Business Organization, Safeway, the CC Complex at Couchiching, and the “Harmony of Nations” for allowing us to display the boat and sell tickets on their premises.
Management and employees bent over backwards for the auxiliary volunteers.
Thanks to Irene Laing and Dixie Badiuk for making many, many phone calls to schedule the ticket-sellers, setting up each morning and closing up every night. That was no simple task as there were days that we were selling at three and four locations.
And, of course, thank you to all the hospital auxiliary volunteers who worked selling tickets–some of them took as many as five or six shifts each.
We also want to mention our appreciation for CIBC staff Stephanie Wrolstad, Iris Gerhard, Tammy Grinsell, Luke Henry, and Mike Badiuk for helping us with ticket sales during the bass tournament.
Thanks to Jim Badiuk, Jessica Badiuk, and Ron Scofield for moving the boat from one location to another.
And last, but definitely not least, thank you to everyone who bought the tickets. Without all of you, the auxiliary would not be able to raise money for equipment for La Verendrye Hospital–equipment that’s needed for the care and comfort of the patients.
What many people don’t realize is that although the government funds most of the operating costs of the hospital, a great deal of the equipment is acquired through donated funds as well as money that’s raised through the efforts of the Riverside Foundation and the auxiliaries at each of the facilities.
Between 1952 and 2012, the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary raised about $1.5 million to contribute to its equipment needs. During 2012, we pledged $60,000 (as a tribute to the auxiliary’s 60th anniversary) for the digital mammography equipment.
We thought it would take us three years to pay off that pledge, but we did it in just one year thanks to our very successful “Rock’n for a Reason” campaign and the proceeds of our lobby lottery.
Once again, those projects were successful because of the hard work of our members and the generosity of the people of Fort Frances.
Most recently, we purchased five new state-of-the-art beds and mattresses, some physio equipment, and chairs for the Labour and Delivery suites that flatten out to allow dad or grandma to get a bit of rest if the baby is taking his or her time being born.
We always are looking for new members and would welcome anyone who is looking for a rewarding way to spend two hours a week, two hours a month, or two hours a year.
As the needs of the hospital change, the role of the auxiliary changes, but the work we are called upon to do is challenging, fun, and, above all, appreciated by the hospital, the patients, and their families.
If you are interested in giving some of your time, you can call any of the auxiliary members mentioned in this letter. Or easier still, just stop in at the gift shop, complete a membership application, and someone will be in touch with you to talk about your interests and availability.
Back to the boat raffle: the Lund boat, Mercury motor, and Shorelandr trailer was won by Mike and Daicia Munton, the $1,000 second prize went to Holly Bruyere, and Jim Krag won the $500 third prize.
Congratulations to the winners, and congratulations to the citizens of Fort Frances and surrounding area. The level of support you show to your community organizations is something of which you should all be very proud.
I know that I’m pleased to be associated with such a supportive and ambitious group of people.
(Signed),
Susan Robertson
President, La Verendrye
Hospital Auxiliary