Hospital Auxiliary 30 years strong

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

 

Members of the Strathmore District Health Services Auxiliary were recognized for their 30 years of service at a conference held Oct. 6-8 in Lethbridge.
“We volunteer and fundraise a bit for equipment in the hospital. We used to volunteer more when the Continuing Care was there, that’s mainly what we did, but now that it’s closed we don’t volunteer quite so much,” said Jo Wilson, chairperson of the Auxiliary.
“Things are quit different since that wing closed, our association really isn’t that active anymore. We’re still going and we still have our meeting’s but as far as being volunteers, there’s not a lot for us to do at the hospital.”
The members will help at flu and/or mammogram clinics when needed. Over the years the organization has raised money to buy different equipment and items for the hospital, most of it going to the emergency ward.
“We sort of buy things that Alberta Health Care doesn’t, we bought a Holter thermometer and a bladder scanner and things like that,” said Wilson.
“A Holter thermometer is a thing that is always there but if they need more than one, it’s always nice to have more than one. (It’s usually) small equipment, we don’t buy things like X-Ray machines and that sort of thing.”
Each year the Auxiliary hosts a fall tea and bake sale, which will be on Nov. 15. There’s always a raffle of a quilt, afghan and Christmas stocking.
“We’ve had a tea as a fundraiser ever since day one. We also, beginning in 2015, we’re going to be able to work a casino for the auxiliary so we can raise more funds. We basically raise funds for equipment in the hospital,” said Wilson.
As with many organizations in town the Auxiliary is down in membership. There was at one point 40 or so members, and now those numbers are sitting closer to 15-20. The ladies are all older, said Wilson, so they are not as active anymore. Men are also welcome to join the Auxiliary, it’s not a women’s only group as it had been once in the past.
Meetings are held once a month, with the exception of July, August and December. Wilson said all interested people need to do is be interested, and go through a security check.
“That’s about it, be interested and we will gladly accept you,” said Wilson.
Meetings are always the fourth Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m. downstairs in the meeting room at the hospital. Anyone who would like to attend and find out more is welcome to do so. The annual fall tea and bake sale will be held at the Hope Community Covenant Church on Nov. 15 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.