Hospital auxiliary volunteers key players

“They’re like bricks in the foundation–they really are.”
That’s what a former patient of La Verendrye, who wished to remain anonymous, had to say about the impact of the local hospital auxiliary on health services there.
“The members of that organization have grounded in this hospital so many more accomplishments than people out there know about,” she enthused.
“They know what they want [for this hospital] and they go out and get it.”
The auxiliary–now in its 49th year of operation here–is open to both men and women, and currently boasts a membership of some 279 volunteers.
“Nineteen of those are men and we’re really proud of that,” auxiliary president Irene Meades said yesterday.
Among the biggest undertakings of the auxiliary was the $400,000 it raised over several years to pay for the refurbishing of St. Andrew’s Ward and the Continuing Care Unit–a feat made possible through fundraisers like Nevada ticket sales, tag days, the Strawberry Social, Fall Tea, the Gift Shop, and Cart.
Nevada tickets sales alone garnered the auxiliary some $35,000 last year.
Also included in their list of accomplishments for the hospital are the purchase of mammography and ultra sound equipment, telephones in each patient ward, new furnishing for the Quiet Room, lab and operating room equipment, and physiotherapy equipment–not to mention financial support of the Breast Education Clinic.
“This hospital could not operate without the help of the auxiliary–their fundraising is just outstanding,” Wayne Woods, CEO of Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. here, said yesterday.
“The auxiliary is important because it helps raise dollars for the hospital for extra little things that the Ministry [of Health] won’t pay for,” argued past president Lila Sanders.
Auxiliary members also hold an annual Christmas Party for patients in Continuing Care, provide weekly hairdressing services to patients, support bursaries given to high school graduates, and to Registered Nurse Practitioner graduates.
They hold an annual hospital staff appreciation day, and assist as guides to patients for special clinics at the hospital.
And while the rest of us play catch up with our lives, wondering how to fit it all in, member Pat Kozik sheds light on the mindset that keeps the auxiliary on its toes and ever the giver.
“I wish we could do more,” she stressed.