Actively serving the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and the community since its inception in 1974, the Ladies Auxiliary has designated approximately $170,000 to the hospital over last year and into 2016.
The hard working group of women take part in many events to raise money for the hospital and since the beginning of the Auxiliary, have raised around $2 million dollars.
New Auxiliary President Donna Salter and her executive are launching ambitious events this year. One of their largest is the annual Christmas Bazaar, held in November.
From their Easter Mini Bazaar to their Christmas event, garage sales, raffle sales and more, every bit of money goes towards the purchase of needed equipment and furnishings for patient care in the hospital. The money they have raised has gone to purchases such as weigh scales, bedside cardiac monitors, wheelchairs, specialty hospital beds and more.
“That’s what we do. We are volunteers who donate our time and our efforts to raise money for this hospital for necessary items for patient care,” said the Auxiliary’s Public Relations Convener Enid Burns.
Their recent purchase was a urinalysis microscope that cost $9,548. The device is used to analyze urine samples in the hospital’s laboratory.
The next event put on by the Auxiliary will be a garage sale on April 30 at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital grounds.
With more than 100 members of the Auxiliary, Burns said they are always looking for additional people.
“New members are always welcome, we need to bring in new blood. Some of our members are 90 or in their 90s.”
New members can visit the gift shop at the hospital, and there is a $10 fee and application form to join.
Individuals interested can contact the Gift Shop at 250-544-7676, ext. 23400.