It would never get done if it weren't for dedicated volunteers.
Health Care Auxiliary Day is Saturday across B.C. and the Auxiliary to the University Hospital of Northern B. C. will celebrate its more than 200 members on Friday at the main floor atrium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Local volunteers in the auxiliary help to raise funds and provide services to visitors and patients at the hospital.
Last year, the auxiliary, which started in 1919, contributed $200,000 toward the purchase of a SPECT CT Scan and $35,000 for a digital ultrasound venue 40.
Since its inception, the local auxiliary has raised more than $5 million and the first item purchased was in 1923 when the auxiliary bought a $500 x-ray machine. Last year more than 200 volunteers donated 36,000 hours to the local cause.
A gift shop at the hospital and the thrift shop at 1523 Third Ave. provide the funds. Because the
facilities are volunteer run, all profits go to funding hospital projects.
Ada Brown, who has given her time to the auxiliary for more than a decade, was inspired to begin volunteering as she watched those working tirelessly at the hospital.
"I've volunteered at the gift shop, the information desk, in the ER (front line) and on the executive," said Brown, who has volunteered up to 25 hours a week for about four years and then slowed it down because she found love.
"So now Ada only puts in three shifts of six hours a week - or more," laughed Rhonda Loose, president of the auxiliary, knowing what a valuable volunteer she has in Brown.
When people enter the hospital, it's most often a trying time.
"They're coming to visit someone that's ill, or they're ill themselves," said Brown. "There are all kinds of needs when they're coming to the hospital."
At the information desk, guests can get a little slip of paper offering directions to areas of the hospital, instead of trying to remember - is it two lefts and two rights or two rights and two lefts to get to the elevator? Those were made up by Brown, just trying to make it easier for people at a stressful time in their lives, said Loose.
The auxiliary also provides flower delivery throughout the hospital, creates seasonal meal tray favours to bring cheer to patients, like a little Canadian flag on Canada Day. There's a knitting group and quilting group that donates items to units at the hospital like the pediatric unit or the neonatal unit , as well as donating items to sell in the gift shop. Other volunteers are part of TLC, offering tender loving care as they wash toys in the pediatric unit, or help out with activities held there. One of the volunteers knits finger puppets to keep children entertained while they wait in the emergency ward. Some volunteers distribute magazines to patients, while more present bingo to residents at Jubilee Lodge.
During the celebration to honour the volunteers Friday, everyone is welcome to join in the fun for refreshments, a book sale, and draws for small prizes.
