Hospital auxiliary volunteers raise $279,000

At their annual general meeting, PECMH auxiliary volunteers put on a fashion show consisting of retro clothing from the Hospital Auxiliary Second Time Around Shop. Fran Renoy photo

By Fran Renoy
Seventy-seven years on, the tireless volunteers in the pink smocks continue to be an important part of Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.
More than 280 Price Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) volunteers donated 21,303 hours and raised $173,000 which includes $65,000 to the Tri-County Healthcare Foundation and $75,000 to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation in 2010.
The numbers were presented at the auxiliary’s annual general meeting May 18th at the Picton Legion. The PECMH auxiliary is one of 156 auxiliaries throughout Ontario who represent seven to eight per cent of the total volunteers across Canada.
Treasurer Charlie Vincent reported that even after donating $173,00 they still had $100,000 remaining. Since its inception in 1934, the PECMH Auxiliary has raised more than two million dollars with a large percentage of this being raised over the last 10 years.
Outgoing president Sue Law commented that the number of volunteer hours is probably conservative as sometimes volunteers forget to record their hours.
She said that over the next several years the auxiliary will encounter change due to new government regulations that govern non-profit organizations such as auxiliaries. President-elect Fran Donaldson added that regular operations will remain basically unchanged but the real challenge will be to amend bylaws and update a number of practices. To that end the auxiliary has formed a Constitution and Bylaws Committee. She noted it will be a long and painstaking process but changes will only take place after voting and consultation by the members.
QHC CEO Mary Clare Egberts spoke to volunteers about the latest developments on the Prince Edward County Health Care Alliance and strategic planning for QHC.
Stakeholders/residents will soon be asked to share  ideas and comments.
She also stressed that if the Ministry of Health approved the Alliance vision, it could be at least five years before “a shovel is in the ground”. A new hospital would have to be built as the present plant (built in 1959) does not meet government standards. The Alliance hopes to have its plan before the Minister of Health by mid summer. She stressed that even if a new hospital is approved by the MOH, PECMH would not go back to being a full service hospital.
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The PECMH Auxiliary will hold a volunteer appreciation and awards celebration Thursday, June 9th from 1-4 pm at the Picton Legion. Their annual fundraising Tag Day is set for Friday, May 27th .
People interested in becoming a volunteer with the auxiliary –  while at the same time helping to support the local hospital that has served this community so well for more than 90 years- should call the auxiliary office at 613-476-2181 (ext. 4427).

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary President Susan Law presented the PECMH Foundation's president with a $50,000 donation. The Foundation appreciates the ongoing financial support of the Auxiliary to assist with purchasing medical equipment. Briar Boyce photo