It has been four months since I was elected as your President, and we are now into our summer recess; no more General Meetings until September.
I want to thank ALL of the volunteers in the Cottage Thrift Store, The Gift Shop, Reception Desk, ADC, TRIM, Equipment Loans Cupboard, and Emergency Loans Cupboard for their dedication to making our auxiliary such a success.
Without your efforts we would not have been able to purchase additional televisions for $40,000 for our Acute and PATH Floor, or pledge $300,000 to purchase the Ultra Sound Machine, which we have already paid $100,000 towards this pledge.
You make it possible for several monthly bus trips for the residents in TRIM. I know the residents look forward to the friendly faces of the volunteers who bring the comfort cart around to them. A big thank you to Trudi Rummel, Irene Stanczyk and Jean Kask who keep this department running smoothly.
The Emergency Cupboard is well used by the Emergency ward and the Acute Care floor. Lorraine Hughes has kept this worthy cause fully stocked for the last nine years.
The volunteers who work in the Equipment Loans Cupboard are kept busy loaning out equipment. Andi Oldale keeps track of the equipment going and coming.
In ADC, the volunteers are kept quite busy taking patients into the Ambulatory Day Care room for IV’s and surgeries by Dr. Pulta. This is all accomplished under the watchful eye of Ghyslaine Palmer.
Where would we be without the Reception Desk providing patients and visitors with directions to the departments they want to visit? All under the guidance of Linda Dennis.
The Gift Shop volunteers sell a great selection of merchandise thanks to Barbara Metz and Wendy Matus who keep the fashion, jewelry and trinkets up to date and interesting with new items. Thanks also to Lil Bodell who keeps the drinks, food and toiletry items in stock.
The dedicated group of volunteers at the Cottage Thrift Store, work hard – all under the leadership of Jacquie Crowther.
The Television Rentals volunteers work Monday to Saturday renting the TVs, always trying to get them set up for that favorite football or hockey game. Thank you Jacquie, for your scheduling, fixing cables, and being the leader of this group of faithful volunteers.
Ann Moffat who is new to our organization, took on the position of 2nd Vice President 4 months ago. With her expertise we have a new look to our Website and Facebook Pages.
Pat Parent, our 1st Vice President, brings with her the experience of being the past treasurer for BCAHA.
Ethel Hooge, our Treasurer, has dedicated 10 years to the position.
Our Recording Secretary Joanne Bydal keeps a formal record of all our meetings and our Corresponding Secretary Elaine Vanderspek, connects with our members in times of illness, sorrow or difficulty.
There is so much more that happens behind the scenes. We have approximately 125 volunteers who work many hours in these venues. We would not be able to purchase hospital equipment, TVs, bus trips, give $5,000 to the Lions Club to help in their fund raising for the Eye Clinic equipment in Chilliwack, without each and every one of you!
The 2nd Annual Spring Tea was held in the Butterfly Garden at The Residence in Mission. The tea was hosted by managers and staff at TRIM and the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation. Delicious sandwiches were served and we were entertained with live music.
Each auxiliary volunteer received a lovely plant from the Foundation. The weather held, and along with the smiling faces of the residents, it was a lovely day.
Mission Health Care Auxiliary meets the first Wednesday of every month except in July and August. All MHCA volunteers are invited to attend and provide input into decisions regarding the use of funds raised.
We are always looking for new members to help with this very important work.
If you have someone you would like to refer to us please contact our volunteer resource person, Bryan Bodell at human.resources.mhas@gmail.com – this is a new position for Bryan.
We welcome any new volunteers to the Mission Health Care Auxiliary.
Have a great summer and be safe.
Alyce Campbell
President
Mission Health Care Auxiliary